President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticised NATO as overly reliant on American money, on Wednesday nominated loyalist Matthew Whitaker to the crucial post of ambassador to the alliance.&nbsp;

"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," Trump said.

Whitaker served as acting attorney general during Trump's first term.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi5xK_IsOuJAxVqR2wGHagPBVIQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trumps-another-stint-at-the-white-house-brings-hope-for-wall-street-777584" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trumps-another-stint-at-the-white-house-brings-hope-for-wall-street-777584&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi5xK_IsOuJAxVqR2wGHagPBVIQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">Trump`s another stint at the White House brings hope for Wall Street</a>

NATO has been bracing for Trump's return to the White House after he threatened in February to stop guaranteeing US protection for member states if he did not believe they contributed enough financially.

Alliance chief Mark Rutte was quick to congratulate the Republican after his election victory and played up the positive impact he said Trump could have.&nbsp;

Watch:US: Donald Trump Taps Former Wrestling Executive As Education Secretary

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"His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticised NATO as overly reliant on American money, on Wednesday nominated loyalist Matthew Whitaker to the crucial post of ambassador to the alliance.

President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticised NATO as overly reliant on American money, on Wednesday nominated loyalist Matthew Whitaker to the crucial post of ambassador to the alliance. "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," Trump said. Whitaker served as acting attorney general during Trump's first term. Also read: Trump`s another stint at the White House brings hope for Wall Street NATO has been bracing for Trump's return to the White House after he threatened in February to stop guaranteeing US protection for member states if he did not believe they contributed enough financially. Alliance chief Mark Rutte was quick to congratulate the Republican after his election victory and played up the positive impact he said Trump could have. Watch:US: Donald Trump Taps Former Wrestling Executive As Education Secretary × "His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump taps loyalist Matthew Whitaker as US envoy to NATO

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/muellers-office-disputes-report-that-trump-told-cohen-to-lie-to-congress-191342">Russian meddling in the 2016 US&nbsp;election</a> is close to wrapping up, Acting US&nbsp;Attorney General Matthew Whitaker told reporters on Monday.

"I've been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," he said at a press conference on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/united-states-formally-charges-chinas-huawei-with-bank-fraud-stealing-trade-secrets-193545">US&nbsp;charges against China's Huawei Technologies</a> Co Ltd.

"Right now the investigation is I think close to being completed and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible."

Whitaker's comments mark the first time a top government official with knowledge of the investigation has publicly confirmed the probe is in its final stages.

Media outlets have reported that Mueller's office could be close to issuing a final report on his investigation.

But Mueller has been tight-lipped about when the months of closed-door grand jury sessions and criminal charges will conclude, leaving questions over how far into the White House his probe will reach and what will happen to his findings.

Mueller's investigation most recently ensnared a long-time confidant of President Donald Trump, political operative Roger Stone.

Others in Trump's orbit have also been charged in the probe, including Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, his former campaign deputy, Richard Gates, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Trump's nominee to fill the attorney general post permanently, William Barr, recently pledged to make public as much of the report as possible, saying Mueller is required to file it confidentially.

But Barr has declined to pledge to release Mueller's report in its entirety, saying that some portions might need to remain confidential, such as decisions not to charge certain individuals.

Russia denies any wrongdoing in the 2016 election. Trump has repeatedly said he was not involved in any collusion with Russia and has often referred to the probe as a "witch hunt."

Whitaker's comments about the Mueller investigation are likely to trigger further inquiries from Democrats who have accused him of being illegally appointed and failing to heed ethics advice suggesting he should recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation.

He is due to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on February 8, where he is expected to be peppered with questions over his role in the Mueller probe and whether he has taken steps to narrow it or limit what Mueller can investigate.

Whitaker was installed as acting attorney general in November, after Trump ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Prior to joining the Justice Department as Sessions’ chief of staff in 2017, Whitaker served as a conservative media pundit and made multiple comments raising scepticism about Mueller’s investigation.

Those comments, coupled with Whitaker’s friendship with Trump’s 2016 election co-chair, Sam Clovis, have raised questions about whether Whitaker should recuse himself.

At Monday's press conference, Whitaker publicly addressed questions about his past statements on the Mueller probe, saying he made those comments as a private citizen who had access only to publicly available information.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election is close to wrapping up, Acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker told reporters on Monday.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election is close to wrapping up, Acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker told reporters on Monday. "I've been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," he said at a press conference on US charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. "Right now the investigation is I think close to being completed and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible." Whitaker's comments mark the first time a top government official with knowledge of the investigation has publicly confirmed the probe is in its final stages. Media outlets have reported that Mueller's office could be close to issuing a final report on his investigation. But Mueller has been tight-lipped about when the months of closed-door grand jury sessions and criminal charges will conclude, leaving questions over how far into the White House his probe will reach and what will happen to his findings. Mueller's investigation most recently ensnared a long-time confidant of President Donald Trump, political operative Roger Stone. Others in Trump's orbit have also been charged in the probe, including Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, his former campaign deputy, Richard Gates, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Trump's nominee to fill the attorney general post permanently, William Barr, recently pledged to make public as much of the report as possible, saying Mueller is required to file it confidentially. But Barr has declined to pledge to release Mueller's report in its entirety, saying that some portions might need to remain confidential, such as decisions not to charge certain individuals. Russia denies any wrongdoing in the 2016 election. Trump has repeatedly said he was not involved in any collusion with Russia and has often referred to the probe as a "witch hunt." Whitaker's comments about the Mueller investigation are likely to trigger further inquiries from Democrats who have accused him of being illegally appointed and failing to heed ethics advice suggesting he should recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation. He is due to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on February 8, where he is expected to be peppered with questions over his role in the Mueller probe and whether he has taken steps to narrow it or limit what Mueller can investigate. Whitaker was installed as acting attorney general in November, after Trump ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Prior to joining the Justice Department as Sessions’ chief of staff in 2017, Whitaker served as a conservative media pundit and made multiple comments raising scepticism about Mueller’s investigation. Those comments, coupled with Whitaker’s friendship with Trump’s 2016 election co-chair, Sam Clovis, have raised questions about whether Whitaker should recuse himself. At Monday's press conference, Whitaker publicly addressed questions about his past statements on the Mueller probe, saying he made those comments as a private citizen who had access only to publicly available information.

Mueller probe 'close to being completed': Acting US attorney general

Top Democrats stepped up pressure Sunday on acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to step aside from overseeing a special counsel probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, vowing to order him to testify early next year.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, the expected incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Sunday the committee plans to subpoena Whitaker to testify next year as its first witness.

"He should recuse himself. He has expressed total hostility to the investigation," Nadler said on the ABC News show "This Week." "His appointment is simply part of an attack on the investigation by Robert Mueller."

In a letter to the Justice Department's chief ethics officer, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats asked whether any ethics attorneys at the Justice Department have advised Whitaker to recuse himself and demanded details on any ethics guidance Whitaker has received.

"Allowing a vocal opponent of the investigation to oversee it will severely undermine public confidence in the Justice Department’s work on this critically important matter," the letter said.

Democrats have increasingly expressed alarm since last week, when President Donald Trump ordered Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign and replaced him with Whitaker, Sessions' chief of staff.

Sessions' ouster paved the way for Whitaker to take over oversight of Mueller's investigation from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller in May 2017 after Sessions recused himself from the probe.

Prior to working at the Justice Department, Whitaker made multiple negative comments about the Mueller investigation and its scope.

In addition, Whitaker is also a close friend of Trump's 2016 election campaign co-chair Sam Clovis, who has since become a witness in Mueller's investigation.

"Mr. Whitaker’s relationship with Mr. Clovis, who is a grand jury witness in the special counsel investigation, as well as Mr. Whitaker’s other entanglements, raise additional concerns about his ability to supervise the investigation independently and impartially," the letter said.

Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to Trump, defended Whitaker's oversight of the probe when asked about it on ABC's "This Week."

"Comments that Matt Whitaker made as a private citizen on cable TV does not disqualify him from being fair and impartial by overseeing this investigation."

She added that Trump is "100 per cent behind Matt Whitaker."

Top Democrats stepped up pressure Sunday on acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to step aside from overseeing a special counsel probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, vowing to order him to testify early next year.

Top Democrats stepped up pressure Sunday on acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to step aside from overseeing a special counsel probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, vowing to order him to testify early next year. Representative Jerrold Nadler, the expected incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Sunday the committee plans to subpoena Whitaker to testify next year as its first witness. "He should recuse himself. He has expressed total hostility to the investigation," Nadler said on the ABC News show "This Week." "His appointment is simply part of an attack on the investigation by Robert Mueller." In a letter to the Justice Department's chief ethics officer, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats asked whether any ethics attorneys at the Justice Department have advised Whitaker to recuse himself and demanded details on any ethics guidance Whitaker has received. "Allowing a vocal opponent of the investigation to oversee it will severely undermine public confidence in the Justice Department’s work on this critically important matter," the letter said. Democrats have increasingly expressed alarm since last week, when President Donald Trump ordered Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign and replaced him with Whitaker, Sessions' chief of staff. Sessions' ouster paved the way for Whitaker to take over oversight of Mueller's investigation from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller in May 2017 after Sessions recused himself from the probe. Prior to working at the Justice Department, Whitaker made multiple negative comments about the Mueller investigation and its scope. In addition, Whitaker is also a close friend of Trump's 2016 election campaign co-chair Sam Clovis, who has since become a witness in Mueller's investigation. "Mr. Whitaker’s relationship with Mr. Clovis, who is a grand jury witness in the special counsel investigation, as well as Mr. Whitaker’s other entanglements, raise additional concerns about his ability to supervise the investigation independently and impartially," the letter said. Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to Trump, defended Whitaker's oversight of the probe when asked about it on ABC's "This Week." "Comments that Matt Whitaker made as a private citizen on cable TV does not disqualify him from being fair and impartial by overseeing this investigation." She added that Trump is "100 per cent behind Matt Whitaker."

US Democrats urge acting attorney general to step aside from Russia probe