His congratulations seemed to be given reluctantly…
Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson and Navy Reserve intelligence officer, has been named Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace by President-elect Donald Trump. This appointment, announced on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, places Ortagus under the leadership of Steven Witkoff, a real estate executive and Trump appointee serving as special envoy to the Middle East.
Trump’s announcement acknowledged Ortagus’s past criticisms of him, adding a characteristic dose of controversy. “Early on, Morgan fought me for three years but hopefully has learned her lesson,” he wrote. “These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me—I’m doing it for them. Let’s see what happens.” Trump also expressed optimism about her potential contributions, describing her as someone who could help bring “calm and prosperity” to the region.
Ortagus brings significant experience to the role. From 2019 to 2021, she served as the State Department’s spokesperson under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and was part of the team that worked on the historic Abraham Accords, which brokered peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. She also worked in the Department of the Treasury as a financial intelligence analyst and served as the Deputy U.S. Treasury Attaché to Saudi Arabia.
Despite her strong credentials, Ortagus’s journey with Trump has been unconventional. In 2016, as a Fox News contributor, she described Trump’s behavior as “disgusting.” Later, in 2022, Trump supported her congressional campaign in Tennessee, though the state’s Republican Party ultimately removed her from the ballot due to her recent relocation.
With her appointment, Ortagus joins Witkoff in navigating the complex challenges of Middle East diplomacy. Despite his unconventional welcome, Trump’s choice underscores his willingness to overlook personal history in favor of Republican unity and a shared goal of achieving peace in the region.
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