Trump picks Kelly Kraft as Nikki Haley's successor at UN
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has nominated his envoy to Canada, Kelly Knight Craft, as the next US Ambassador to the UN to succeed Indian-American Nikki Haley. If confirmed by the Senate, Craft, 56, would replace Haley. "Pleased to announce that Kelly Knight Craft, our current Ambassador to Canada, is being nominated to be United States Ambassador to the United Nations," said Trump. Here's more.
Twitter Post
Kelly has done an outstanding job representing our Nation: Trump
....Kelly has done an outstanding job representing our Nation and I have no doubt that, under her leadership, our Country will be represented at the highest level. Congratulations to Kelly and her entire family!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2019
Former Ambassador
Haley was the first India-American appointed to a Cabinet position
In October last year, Haley announced that she was leaving the post by the end of the year. The 46-year-old former South Carolina Governor has served nearly two years in the post. She was the first Indian-American ever appointed to a Cabinet position in any US presidential administration. Haley also congratulated Craft shortly after the president's online announcement.
Twitter Post
She'll be a strong voice for America at UN: Haley
Congratulations to Kelly Craft. She’s done a great job representing us as @USAmbCanada and we know she’ll be a strong voice for America at the United Nations. #USstrong🇺🇸 https://t.co/5zude3JVXs
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 22, 2019
About Craft
Craft has been ambassador to Canada since October 2017
Craft is the US's first woman ambassador to Canada. She is Trump's second choice to replace Haley. His first choice, former State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, withdrew her name from consideration on February 16, citing personal and family reasons. Craft has been ambassador to Canada since October 2017. She previously served as an alternate delegate to the UN during the George W Bush administration.
Work
Craft also supports US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the deal that replaced NAFTA
During her time in Ottawa, Craft raised eyebrows when she said that she believes in "both sides of the science" when it comes to climate change. She has also been a supporter of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade deal that was negotiated by the Trump administration to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is although not yet approved by Congress.
Information
Craft and her husband are generous donors to Republican party
A former businesswoman, the Kentucky native has been married to billionaire coal mining businessman Joe Craft since 2016. He is the CEO of Alliance Resource Partners. The couple is both a long-term and generous donor to the Republican party.