A handful of prominent former Trump administration officials are backing President TrumpDonald John TrumpNumber of uninsured children rises for second year, tops 4 million Trump moment from White House Halloween trick-or-treat event goes viral White House official says transcript of Ukraine call omitted key phrases: report MORE‘s pick to be the next ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, in a letter ahead of his confirmation hearing.
The letter signed by figures such as former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki HaleyNimrata (Nikki) HaleyEx-Trump officials back Russia ambassador pick ahead of hearing Wall Street firm predicts stock market would rally if Trump resigned Poll shows Michelle Obama would lead in New Hampshire if she entered 2020 Democratic race MORE and former Defense Secretary James MattisJames Norman MattisEx-Trump officials back Russia ambassador pick ahead of hearing Amazon poised to escalate Pentagon ‘war cloud’ fight Trump’s unimpeachable foreign policy MORE comes on the eve of Sullivan’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Sullivan, who currently serves as deputy secretary of State, is praised in the letter as “the right person at the right time” for the job. In addition to Haley and Mattis, the letter was signed by former national security adviser H.R. McMaster and former acting Secretary of State Tom Shannon.
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The letter was sent to Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim RischJames (Jim) Elroy RischEx-Trump officials back Russia ambassador pick ahead of hearing House approves Turkey sanctions in rare bipartisan rebuke of Trump This week: House to vote on Turkey sanctions bill MORE (R-Idaho) and ranking member Sen. Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezTurkey sanctions face possible wall in GOP Senate Paul blocks Senate vote on House-passed Syria resolution House to vote on resolution condemning Trump’s Syria pullback MORE (R-N.J.), according to a person familiar with the document.
Sullivan joined the administration in 2017. He was confirmed to be deputy secretary of State by a 94-6 vote. If confirmed as the top U.S. diplomat to Moscow, he will replace Jon Huntsman, who served in the role for roughly two years.
Bloomberg first reported on the letter in support of Sullivan.
The Russia ambassador role has become particularly scrutinized during the Trump administration amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Trump has faced intense criticism for speaking favorably about Russia, and his campaign’s interactions with Russian figures were a major focus throughout special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerGowdy: I ‘100 percent’ still believe public congressional hearings are ‘a circus’ Comey: Mueller ‘didn’t succeed in his mission because there was inadequate transparency’ Fox News legal analyst says Trump call with Ukraine leader could be ‘more serious’ than what Mueller ‘dragged up’ MORE‘s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Adding another layer to the complex dynamic involving U.S. policy toward Russia is allegations that Trump earlier this year pressured the leader of neighboring Ukraine to launch investigations into Trump’s political rivals.
Acting White House chief of staff Mick MulvaneyJohn (Mick) Michael MulvaneyEx-Trump officials back Russia ambassador pick ahead of hearing The Hill’s 12:30 Report: White House official testifies he warned about Trump pressure on Ukraine House committees ask key Mulvaney aide for testimony in impeachment inquiry MORE told reporters earlier this month that military aid for Ukraine intended to combat Russian aggression was tied in part to the Ukrainians agreeing to investigate Democrats in the 2016 election.
Sullivan will likely be asked about the controversy, particularly since he was the official who was tasked with dismissing former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch at Trump’s request.
Yovanovitch testified earlier this month in the House impeachment inquiry that she felt she was the target of misinformation being spread by President Trump’s allies.