Donald Trump names Matthew Whitaker, former interim attorney general, as U.S. ambassador to NATO

WASHINGTON ? President-elect Donald Trump designated Matthew Whitaker, a conservative firebrand who filled in briefly as his acting attorney general in the first Trump administration, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in his second administration.The announcement comes as Trump fills out his Cabinet and other top posts in preparation for his second term, which begins Jan. 20. NATO was organized to defend Europe against Russia and Trump has been critical of how much European countries spend on defense compared to the United States.

"Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended," Trump said in a statement. "Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability ?He will put AMERICA FIRST."

Whitaker is a former U.S. attorney in Iowa. He served briefly as acting attorney general from November 2018 to February 2019, between Trump firing Jeff Sessions and hiring Bill Barr, but he doesn't appear among the Justice Department's list of former leaders.

Whitaker’s previous appointment was contentious. He was challenged in lawsuits and by some lawmakers because he wasn’t already serving in a post confirmed by the Senate, as is required by law for someone to be elevated to acting attorney general. He previously served as chief of staff to Sessions.

Whitaker had argued in July 2016, in an opinion piece for USA TODAY, that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton should have been indicted for handling classified documents on a private email server while serving as secretary of state. Trump beat Clinton in the 2016 election.

Whitaker took office saying the Trump administration was for "law and order" and that the southern border was "in crisis."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump chooses Matthew Whitaker as NATO ambassador