Trump has perfected the act of selling swanky diplomatic posts to rich buffoons. In the Trump administration, $1 million buys you an appointment to the Bahamas even if youre not quite sure what that means. For $2 million, you can become Ambassador to the United Nations. Trump nominated a real estate lawyer accused of sexual harassment as ambassador to Romania. His South Africa nominee is a handbag designer. In all, Donald Trump has appointed political cronies to nearly half the available ambassadorial positions far more than any president in recent memory. As a result, opportunities for career professionals are severely limited.
The practice of auctioning off American diplomacy to the highest bidder must end. This president may think a fat wallet and a big campaign check qualifies someone to represent our country abroad. I dont. I dont spend my time at fancy closed-door fundraisers trading favors for money, and Ill make my ambassadorial appointments based on only one thing: finding the most qualified person for the job.
Thats why Im pledging to put Americas national interests ahead of campaign donations and end the corrupt practice of selling cushy diplomatic posts to wealthy donors and I call on everyone running for President to do the same. I wont give ambassadorial posts to wealthy donors or bundlers period.
And Ill also ensure that some of the most senior positions in the State Department, including at least one Deputy Secretary position and the Director General of the Foreign Service, are always filled by experienced career ambassadors.
As I travel Ive had the opportunity to meet with our diplomats at posts around the world, from Beijing to Baghdad. Almost without exception, they are highly skilled, dedicated, resilient, capable professionals. Charting a safe and prosperous course in the coming years will require all of that and more. This is our chance to take our best and brightest young talent and put them to work for this country. We can create a bold and energetic diplomatic corps that looks more like the country it represents and we can invest in diplomacy to make the world a little safer and a little more secure.
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All Hail King Connor! Official Connor Hellebuyck fanboy