Trump picks Richard Grenell as envoy for special missions

Grenell served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, a particular presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and as acting director of nationwide intelligence proper via Trump’s 2017-2021 term

Reuters

15 December, 2024, 11:20 am

Final modified: 15 December, 2024, 11:26 am

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he used to be deciding on Richard Grenell, his feeble intelligence chief, as presidential envoy for particular missions, a put up the place he’ll likely power insurance policies against some US adversaries, including North Korea.

“Ric will work in likely the most freshest spots throughout the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said on his Truth Social media platform without extra describing the obligations.

A Trump transition offer suggested Reuters that Grenell will also give attention to tensions in the Balkans.

Grenell served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, a particular presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and as acting director of nationwide intelligence proper via Trump’s 2017-2021 term.

After campaigning for Trump sooner than the Nov. 5 election, he used to be a main contender for secretary of snarl, a job that went to US Senator Marco Rubio. He used to be also regarded as for particular envoy for the Ukraine battle, which went to retired lieutenant frequent Keith Kellogg.

Trump takes residing of enterprise subsequent month.

Presidents name presidential and particular envoys to present attention to world complications, crises or explicit diplomatic efforts.

North Korea and Venezuela are US adversaries, though Reuters has reported that Trump has regarded as pursuing tell talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, hoping to decrease dangers of armed battle.

What reciprocation Kim may maybe maybe well well provide Trump is unclear. The North Koreans neglected four years of outreach by US President Joe Biden to launch talks without a pre-stipulations, and Kim is emboldened by an expanded missile arsenal and a remarkable closer relationship with Russia.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump known as Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro a dictator. Maduro said Trump’s re-election used to be “a novel launch” for bilateral household participants.

In his first term, Trump build in residing harsher sanctions on the South American country, critically on its key oil alternate. Maduro broke off household participants in 2019.

Grenell had earlier interactions with Maduro friends.

Reuters reported that in 2020 Grenell secretly met with a Maduro representative to maintain a examine out to determine the Venezuelan leader’s peaceable exit from energy after his 2018 re-election used to be regarded as a sham by most Western countries, nonetheless no settlement used to be reached.

Republican US Senator Invoice Hagerty voiced hasty strengthen for Grenell, saying on X that he would “safe a huge job going via likely the most world’s toughest challenges.”