NIKKI HALEY/NOMINATIONS/STATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/UN: “President Donald Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be his new ambassador to the UN, positioning a relatively inexperienced newcomer in one of the most high-profile positions in US diplomacy, according to an administration official and a second source. The announcement is expected to come on Friday [12-7-18], two officials say. In an administration rife with internal conflict and deeply distrustful of the UN, Nauert’s nomination would place a less senior person at the international agency than outspoken current ambassador Nikki Haley, who reportedly sparred with other administration officials. The former Fox News host’s precipitous rise since arriving at the State Department in 2017 sets the stage for a potentially tough Senate confirmation hearing, where Democrats will likely grill Nauert on her qualifications for the position.”
–Elise Labott, Jim Sciutto and Nicole Gaouette, “Trump expected to name Heather Nauert next UN ambassador, sources say,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, December 6, 2018 6:20 am