Trump nominates Republican lawmaker as ambassador to Saudi Arabia
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
Picking Saudi Arabia is never a “send a nice person, cut a ribbon” kind of job. It’s oil, counterterrorism, Iran, Israel, and a royal court that doesn’t do anything on our timetable. So when President Trump taps a Republican lawmaker to take that post, the real question isn’t whether the nominee will give smooth speeches.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
Picking Saudi Arabia is never a “send a nice person, cut a ribbon” kind of job. It’s oil, counterterrorism, Iran, Israel, and a royal court that doesn’t do anything on our timetable. So when President Trump taps a Republican lawmaker to take that post, the real question isn’t whether the nominee will give smooth speeches. It’s whether he can land hard deals and keep Washington’s usual hand-wringing from turning into paralysis. This job is about leverage, not lectures.
A member of Congress can be an asset there, if the White House uses him right. Lawmakers understand domestic politics, and they know how quickly a “strategic partnership” turns into a cable-news morality play back home. That can actually help a serious ambassador, because Riyadh reads our headlines too. The downside is just as obvious: if this turns into a consolation prize or a donor thank-you, the Saudis will spot it in five minutes. Saudi Arabia respects seriousness, and punishes amateur hour.
Trump’s approach has always been transactional, and in the Middle East that’s not a dirty word. The Biden years showed what happens when the U.S. alternates between scolding partners and begging them to pump more oil when prices spike. It looks weak, and it doesn’t get results. If this nominee walks in with clear marching orders on energy stability, regional security, and pushing back on Iran, we can reset the relationship on terms that benefit American families and American troops. Stop treating Riyadh like a prop and start treating it like a pressure point.
There will be the predictable outrage cycle about Saudi human rights, as if that’s new information and as if our alternatives are Sweden or Switzerland. We don’t have to approve of everything the kingdom does to insist on a relationship that serves U.S. interests. The measure of this pick won’t be how many think pieces it spawns. It’ll be whether we get lower risk in the region, steadier energy markets, and fewer headaches for our allies. That’s the assignment.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.