Trump appoints 19 people to ambassador posts
President Trump promised to shake up Washington, but he’s following at least one swampy tradition by nominating wealthy political allies and campaign donors to cushy ambassador posts.
While presidents typically dole out about 30 percent of U.S. ambassadorships to political appointees, Mr. Trump through Friday had awarded 14 of his first 19 ambassador posts to political nominees rather than career foreign service professionals.
They include San Diego hotelier Doug Manchester, nominated for the very pleasant assignment of ambassador to the Bahamas. Mr. Manchester was one of Mr. Trump’s early political backers; he and his wife, Geniya, each gave $454,800 to political committees supporting Mr. Trump’s campaign.
George E. Glass of Oregon, founder of Pacific Crest Securities, is Mr. Trump’s choice to become ambassador to Portugal. He donated $33,400 to the Republican National Committee in July 2016 and gave $22,500 to Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee.
Kelly Knight Craft, wife of billionaire coal magnate Joe Craft and a major Republican Party donor, has been nominated by the president for ambassador to Canada.
Mr. Trump also nominated Robert “Woody” Johnson IV, owner of the New York Jets, to the coveted post of ambassador to the Court of St. James in London. Mr. Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical empire, was a top fundraiser for Mr. Trump and for the presidential inauguration.
Source:- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/25/donald-trump-appoints-19-people-to-ambassador-post/
