According to Bloomberg, President Trump is considering former Iraq War veteran John James, who lost a close race to Democrat Debbie Stabenow for her Senate seat in November, to replace U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has said she will step down at the end of 2018.
James, who has two master’s degrees from Penn State University, and a master of business administration from the University of Michigan, currently serves as president of James Group International, a supply-chain management firm. He served as an Army captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying Apache helicopters and leading two platoons.
In October, James articulated some of his foreign policy views in an interview.
On how to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons:
We must make sure that Iran is never in the position to develop a nuclear weapon or intercontinental ballistic missile. We must make sure that Iran is never able to destabilize the world community or the U.S. through cyber, terror or proxy means. And that means using every single tool in our toolbox to include economic sanctions and the like. And that means leaving every option on the table.
On Israel:
I was always raised to believe that Israel is the rightful home of the Jews and we must stand by God’s chosen people. There must be zero public space between Israel and the United States of America. We must do everything we can to preserve that relationship. That’s not a partisan issue and it blows my mind that it’s become a partisan issue. Our public pronouncement of alignment with Israel is the first and most necessary step — the security funding, the missile defense system, moving the embassy to Jerusalem … These public stances, I believe, are indicating to Tehran that Israel and the United States are in lockstep.
I was always taught that when somebody tells you who they are, you believe them. When Iran says, “death to Israel” or “death to America,” I believe them. Even former Secretary of State John Kerry said the $150 billion the previous administration gave to Iran would find its way into terrorists’ hands. To reverse that, we need to make sure that we stand with Israel and work with the world to contain Iran because we cannot afford to kick the can down the road.
In a debate, James targeted Stabenow for her lack of support for American troops, noting Stabenow voted in 2007 against critical emergency funding for the troops at the very time James was serving in Iraq. He asserted, “Stabenow failed our troops when we needed her the most. Stabenow voted against emergency funding for critical needs in Iraq. Twelve years ago, Stabenow committed to doing everything possible to support the troops but when we needed emergency funding, Stabenow voted against it. I know because I was there.”
James added, “Stabenow failed our troops. She claimed she would be there for us in 2006, and let us down. Now you say again you’re committed to doing everything for our troops. Why should we believe you this time? I have a clear message for our service men and women who are currently serving and who have served; I will have your six.”
