Joe Biden intends to nominate Elliott Abrams, a former Trump appointee with a controversial past, to the bipartisan US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

The announcement was made alongside eight Republican picks for other boards and commissions, reported the Guardian. This move by Biden is seen as an attempt to reach out to neoconservatives, although it carries some risk.

<h2>Abrams' controversial background</h2>

Elliott Abrams, 75, has held senior positions in three Republican administrations and gained prominence as assistant secretary of state under Ronald Reagan.

However, his tenure was marred by the Iran-Contra affair, during which senior administration officials secretly facilitated arms sales to Iran and used the proceeds to support the Contras in Nicaragua.

Abrams pleaded guilty to charges of illegally withholding information from Congress related to his role in soliciting funds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yellen-urges-for-us-china-cooperation-on-climate-finance-613332">Yellen urges for US-China cooperation on climate finance</a>

<h2>Criticism for support of repressive regimes</h2>

Abrams has faced backlash for his support of the El Salvadoran government, which was responsible for a brutal massacre of civilians during the civil war.

Additionally, he backed US aid to Guatemalan military dictator Efraín Ríos Montt, who was later convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity.

These actions have led to accusations of complicity in genocide and distorting information to discredit accounts of atrocities.

<h2>Republican influence on nomination</h2>

It is believed that Congressional Republicans played a role in Biden's decision to nominate Abrams, as failure to do so could be seen as interference.

A White House official stated that it is standard for Republican leadership to put forward nominees for these commissions alongside Biden's own selections.

US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy has several vacant seats, indicating a missing piece in Biden's pledge to restore America's international image.

This issue of neglecting key posts, including the under-secretary job, has been a long-standing problem predating the current administration.

<h2>Abrams' previous roles</h2>

Abrams previously served as Trump's special envoy for Venezuela and was also appointed as special envoy to Iran. Although he was considered for the position of deputy secretary of state, his criticism of Trump during the campaign led to his exclusion from consideration.

Also watch |&nbsp;US&nbsp;Destroys last of it's chemical weapons stockpile

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Biden's nominees, including Abrams, will require Senate confirmation. However, recent picks have faced significant delays, exemplified by the prolonged confirmation process of Julie Su as the acting secretary of Labour.

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Joe Biden intends to nominate Elliott Abrams, a former Trump appointee with a controversial past, to the bipartisan US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. The announcement was made alongside eight Republican picks for other boards and commissions, reported the Guardian.

Joe Biden intends to nominate Elliott Abrams, a former Trump appointee with a controversial past, to the bipartisan US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. The announcement was made alongside eight Republican picks for other boards and commissions, reported the Guardian. This move by Biden is seen as an attempt to reach out to neoconservatives, although it carries some risk. Abrams' controversial background Elliott Abrams, 75, has held senior positions in three Republican administrations and gained prominence as assistant secretary of state under Ronald Reagan. However, his tenure was marred by the Iran-Contra affair, during which senior administration officials secretly facilitated arms sales to Iran and used the proceeds to support the Contras in Nicaragua. Abrams pleaded guilty to charges of illegally withholding information from Congress related to his role in soliciting funds. Also read | Yellen urges for US-China cooperation on climate finance Criticism for support of repressive regimes Abrams has faced backlash for his support of the El Salvadoran government, which was responsible for a brutal massacre of civilians during the civil war. Additionally, he backed US aid to Guatemalan military dictator Efraín Ríos Montt, who was later convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. These actions have led to accusations of complicity in genocide and distorting information to discredit accounts of atrocities. Republican influence on nomination It is believed that Congressional Republicans played a role in Biden's decision to nominate Abrams, as failure to do so could be seen as interference. A White House official stated that it is standard for Republican leadership to put forward nominees for these commissions alongside Biden's own selections. US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy has several vacant seats, indicating a missing piece in Biden's pledge to restore America's international image. This issue of neglecting key posts, including the under-secretary job, has been a long-standing problem predating the current administration. Abrams' previous roles Abrams previously served as Trump's special envoy for Venezuela and was also appointed as special envoy to Iran. Although he was considered for the position of deputy secretary of state, his criticism of Trump during the campaign led to his exclusion from consideration. Also watch | US Destroys last of it's chemical weapons stockpile Biden's nominees, including Abrams, will require Senate confirmation. However, recent picks have faced significant delays, exemplified by the prolonged confirmation process of Julie Su as the acting secretary of Labour. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Biden to nominate Elliott Abrams, controversial figure convicted in Iran-Contra, for key panel

Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo has tapped Elliot Abrams, a central figure in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stone-indictment-has-nothing-to-do-with-trump-white-house-192791">Ronald Reagan's controversial</a> anti-communist campaigns in Central America, as a new envoy to "restore democracy" in Venezuela.

Pompeo announced the appointment of Abrams on Friday, two days after Washington declared head of state Nicolas Maduro to be illegitimate and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of crisis-plagued Venezuela.

Pompeo said Abrams "will be a true asset to our mission to help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country".

Abrams told reporters in brief remarks: "This crisis in Venezuela is deep and difficult and dangerous and I can't wait to get to work on it."

The veteran Republican foreign policy hand took charge of Latin America policy under Reagan, clashing with human rights groups as he channelled generous US support to anti-communist forces in Nicaragua and El Salvador.

In one notorious incident, he initially dismissed the massacre of nearly 1,000 civilians by the Salvadoran army at El Mozote in 1981. Abrams later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour counts of withholding information from Congress during the Iran-Contra scandal, when the Reagan administration secretly funded the Contra rebels in Nicaragua through arms sales to revolutionary Iran.

Abrams later returned as a senior adviser to president George W Bush in charge of human rights and the Middle East. But when Republicans returned to the White House with President Donald Trump's election, Abrams was initially passed over as the new administration shut out critics of the unorthodox new leader.

Abrams during the 2016 election had written a piece in The Weekly Standard magazine entitled, "When You Can't Stand Your Candidate," in which he argued that Trump "cannot win and should not be president of the United States".

Pompeo, one of Trump's favourite cabinet members, assured that Abrams was on board, saying the new envoy was "eager to advance President Trump's agenda and promote the ideals and interests of the American people".

Pompeo said that Abrams would join him Saturday as the secretary of state heads to New York for a special UN Security Council session on Venezuela.&nbsp;

Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo has tapped Elliot Abrams, a central figure in Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America, as a new envoy to "restore democracy" in Venezuela.

Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo has tapped Elliot Abrams, a central figure in Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America, as a new envoy to "restore democracy" in Venezuela. Pompeo announced the appointment of Abrams on Friday, two days after Washington declared head of state Nicolas Maduro to be illegitimate and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of crisis-plagued Venezuela. Pompeo said Abrams "will be a true asset to our mission to help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country". Abrams told reporters in brief remarks: "This crisis in Venezuela is deep and difficult and dangerous and I can't wait to get to work on it." The veteran Republican foreign policy hand took charge of Latin America policy under Reagan, clashing with human rights groups as he channelled generous US support to anti-communist forces in Nicaragua and El Salvador. In one notorious incident, he initially dismissed the massacre of nearly 1,000 civilians by the Salvadoran army at El Mozote in 1981. Abrams later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour counts of withholding information from Congress during the Iran-Contra scandal, when the Reagan administration secretly funded the Contra rebels in Nicaragua through arms sales to revolutionary Iran. Abrams later returned as a senior adviser to president George W Bush in charge of human rights and the Middle East. But when Republicans returned to the White House with President Donald Trump's election, Abrams was initially passed over as the new administration shut out critics of the unorthodox new leader. Abrams during the 2016 election had written a piece in The Weekly Standard magazine entitled, "When You Can't Stand Your Candidate," in which he argued that Trump "cannot win and should not be president of the United States". Pompeo, one of Trump's favourite cabinet members, assured that Abrams was on board, saying the new envoy was "eager to advance President Trump's agenda and promote the ideals and interests of the American people". Pompeo said that Abrams would join him Saturday as the secretary of state heads to New York for a special UN Security Council session on Venezuela.

US taps controversial Abrams to 'restore democracy' in Venezuela

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Biden to nominate Elliott Abrams, controversial figure convicted in Iran-Contra, for key panel

US taps controversial Abrams to 'restore democracy' in Venezuela