U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Richard Grenell as a special envoy for various missions. According to Reuters, Grenell will lead U.S. policies toward several of America’s adversaries, including North Korea.
“Ric will work on some of the hottest spots in the world, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said.
Reuters reports that a source from Trump’s team mentioned that Grenell will also focus on tensions in the Balkans.
Grenell previously served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, as the special presidential envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, and as acting Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s term from 2017-2021.
He was a leading contender for the position of Secretary of State, which was ultimately given to Marco Rubio. He was also considered for the special envoy role for the war in Ukraine, which was later assigned to Keith Kellogg.
Trump will officially take office in January.
The U.S. president can appoint special presidential or diplomatic envoys to focus on global issues, crises, or specific diplomatic efforts.
