The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn the nomination of Mark Brnovich as the new ambassador to Serbia, according to a decision published on the website of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
No official explanation was provided for the withdrawal of the 58-year-old’s nomination.
Brnovich responded to the development, accusing the “deep state” of opposing his appointment, nova.rs reports.
“I thank President Trump for the nomination, but as the process dragged on, it became clear that the bureaucracies of the ‘deep state’ did not want someone with my political, ethnic, and religious background to serve in Serbia. I believe staying close to family and friends in Arizona and finding opportunities to play a greater role in the local political scene is the best path forward right now,” Brnovich said.
Although the nomination was promptly sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Brnovich never appeared before the body for a confirmation hearing.
Trump had nominated Brnovich, a Republican and former Arizona Attorney General, as U.S. ambassador to Belgrade at the end of March.
The United States has not had an ambassador in Belgrade since January, when Christopher Hill left the post following Trump’s return to the White House.
