US President Donald Trump has nominated deputy national security adviser Kathleen Troia McFarland as the next United States Ambassador to Singapore.
In a White House statement today, Trump said, “I am pleased to nominate KT McFarland to be Ambassador to Singapore, one of America’s great allies.”
He added, “While I am sorry to lose her, KT’s work in developing policies that put American interests first will have a lasting impact. She will remain an essential team member as she fulfils this new and important role.”
McFarland, 65, former national security analyst for Fox News channel, was one of Trump's original hires after he was elected President on November 8.
Her CV boasts of an illustrious career having previously served in the national security councils of the Nixon, Ford, and Reagan administrations, and worked at the Department of Defence.
While reacting to the new responsibility, McFarland said, “I am honoured by President Trump’s trust in me. It’s been an incredible experience to serve here in the White House during his early months in office, and now I’m looking forward to implementing his policy with one of our key allies in Asia. I wish all my colleagues the very best, especially Lieutenant General McMaster, and I look forward to continuing to coordinate closely with them from my new perch in Singapore.”
HR McMaster, Trump's national security adviser, said, “KT is leaving a great team in place to support the President, and our friends in Singapore know they are getting one of his top aides as their American ambassador.”
McFarland's nomination will now move to the Senate for confirmation. If confirmed by the US Senate, McFarland will replace the most recent US ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar, who left the Republic in January upon Trump’s inauguration.