Senate Confirms Trump Loyalist Matthew Whitaker as U.S. NATO Ambassador

The Senate voted 52-45 late Tuesday to confirm Matthew Whitaker, former acting attorney general under President Donald Trump, as the next U.S. ambassador to NATO. The largely party-line vote came after months of scrutiny over Whitaker’s limited foreign policy experience and Trump’s own skepticism toward the alliance.

A Focus on Defense Spending and Alliance Commitment

In nominating Whitaker last November, Trump praised him as a "strong warrior and loyal patriot" who would "ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended." During his confirmation hearing last month, Whitaker emphasized the U.S.’s "ironclad" commitment to NATO, citing Article 5—the collective defense clause—while urging member nations to increase defense spending.

He pledged to push NATO allies to allocate at least 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense, a significant jump from the current 2% target. "Are our NATO allies really committed to the alliance, or are these just empty promises?" Whitaker asked senators. "They must understand the world is dangerous, and the U.S. is their best ally in it."

Trump has repeatedly pressured NATO members to boost military investments, though he recently reaffirmed U.S. support for the alliance—a stance echoed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a March visit to Washington.

A Law Enforcement Background, Not Diplomacy

Whitaker, who served in the Justice Department during Trump’s first term, brings a law enforcement background rather than foreign policy expertise to the role. His nomination drew criticism from Democrats, who questioned his preparedness for high-stakes diplomacy.

Still, Trump expressed confidence in Whitaker’s ability to "strengthen relationships with our NATO allies" while standing firm against threats to "peace and stability." Whitaker, in turn, reiterated the administration’s commitment to "peace through strength."