Trump appoints close ally Richard Grenell as envoy for 'special missions'
Rumors circulated for weeks as Grenell appeared to be overlooked for the position of secretary of State.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Richard Grenell, the former Ambassador to Germany and a close ally, will take on the role of presidential envoy for “special missions.” This announcement concludes weeks of speculation regarding Grenell's position in the upcoming Trump administration.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned that Grenell, who previously served as acting director of national intelligence and as the special envoy for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, “will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea.”
The specifics of this newly established role remain unclear, and the Trump transition team did not provide additional information when approached for clarifications. Given the intended focus on international crises, Grenell’s responsibilities may extend to other volatile regions, such as Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, or other ongoing global issues.
This announcement finally confirms Grenell's role in the new administration, following his noticeable absence from early senior administration and cabinet appointments. Despite advocating for the position of Secretary of State, Grenell was ultimately not selected, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio taking the post instead—disappointing some right-leaning foreign policy advocates. He also declined the role of director of national intelligence.
There had been speculation about whether Grenell might be tasked as a special envoy for Iran, address the Russia-Ukraine crisis, or receive a notable ambassadorship.
Recently, Trump had hinted that Grenell would secure a significant role. On Wednesday night, Trump stated on Truth Social: “Richard Grenell is a fabulous person, A STAR. He will be someplace, high up!”
Grenell's new position could potentially create tensions with Rubio, and the announcement did not clarify how this role would align with the State Department's operations.
Additionally, Trump’s post did not indicate whether Grenell would undergo a confirmation process. By law, special envoys typically require Senate confirmation, though the Biden administration has occasionally circumvented this by modifying job descriptions. As a staunch supporter of the president-elect, Grenell may face some scrutiny from lawmakers, but he is still likely to be confirmed if he is put through a Senate confirmation process.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned that Grenell, who previously served as acting director of national intelligence and as the special envoy for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, “will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea.”
The specifics of this newly established role remain unclear, and the Trump transition team did not provide additional information when approached for clarifications. Given the intended focus on international crises, Grenell’s responsibilities may extend to other volatile regions, such as Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, or other ongoing global issues.
This announcement finally confirms Grenell's role in the new administration, following his noticeable absence from early senior administration and cabinet appointments. Despite advocating for the position of Secretary of State, Grenell was ultimately not selected, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio taking the post instead—disappointing some right-leaning foreign policy advocates. He also declined the role of director of national intelligence.
There had been speculation about whether Grenell might be tasked as a special envoy for Iran, address the Russia-Ukraine crisis, or receive a notable ambassadorship.
Recently, Trump had hinted that Grenell would secure a significant role. On Wednesday night, Trump stated on Truth Social: “Richard Grenell is a fabulous person, A STAR. He will be someplace, high up!”
Grenell's new position could potentially create tensions with Rubio, and the announcement did not clarify how this role would align with the State Department's operations.
Additionally, Trump’s post did not indicate whether Grenell would undergo a confirmation process. By law, special envoys typically require Senate confirmation, though the Biden administration has occasionally circumvented this by modifying job descriptions. As a staunch supporter of the president-elect, Grenell may face some scrutiny from lawmakers, but he is still likely to be confirmed if he is put through a Senate confirmation process.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
