In a significant announcement, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Morgan Ortagus, former State Department spokesperson, as the Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace. This decision comes with notable skepticism from Trump, who remarked on Truth Social, “Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson” (The Hill). Trump’s mixed sentiments were evident as he stated, “These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them,” underscoring a focus on GOP allies rather than personal favoritism.

Ortagus’s background is rooted in diplomacy and national security—she served in the State Department during Trump’s first term under Secretary Mike Pompeo and was part of the team that achieved the historic Abraham Accords. Prior to this, she had been vocally critical of Trump’s foreign policy stances during her time as a Fox News contributor. In 2016, she called his behavior “disgusting” and criticized his isolationist views (HuffPost).

Despite the rocky history, Trump highlighted Ortagus’s credentials and expressed optimism regarding her tenure, stating, “She will hopefully be an asset to [Special Envoy] Steven Witkoff, a great leader and talent, as we seek to bring calm and prosperity to a very troubled region.” He also acknowledged his decision was aimed at supporting his allies, stating, “Let’s see what happens” (Salon).

Ortagus, who has actively served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, previously attempted to run for Congress in Tennessee but was removed from the ballot for moving to the state too recently (India Times). As she prepares for this new role, her ability to navigate her complex relationship with Trump and his administration may be instrumental in her effectiveness.

“Good luck Morgan!” Trump concluded, leaving observers curious about how this dynamic will unfold in the coming administration.