Morgan Ortagus named as new State Dept spokeswoman

National security analyst and former Fox News contributor Morgan Ortagus has officially been named the State Department’s new top spokeswoman.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally announced Ortagus’s appointment in a tweet.

“Her experience as an intelligence analyst & public affairs officer in foreign policy & national security will benefit America,” Pompeo said. “She’ll lead our fight to communicate & defend US foreign policy. Welcome to our team Morgan.”

Pleased to welcome Morgan Ortagus as our new @statedeptspox. Her experience as an intelligence analyst & public affairs officer in foreign policy & national security will benefit America. She’ll lead our fight to communicate & defend US foreign policy. Welcome to our team Morgan. pic.twitter.com/kSqTdPFNzv

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) April 3, 2019

{mosads}“Thank you, [President Trump] and [Secretary Pompeo] for the opportunity to represent [the State Department] and the American people,” Ortagus tweeted from the official spokesperson Twitter account. “I look forward to helping tell America’s story to the world.”

Ortagus replaces Heather Nauert, who left the State Department when President Trump nominated her to replace Nikki Haley as ambassador to the United Nations. Nauert withdrew from consideration for the UN post, reportedly because of the employment of a nanny whose immigration and work authorization status were unclear. 

The official appointment comes the day after a report from CNN that Ortagus was repeatedly critical of Trump during the 2016 Republican primary.

Ortagus, who at the time was working for a super PAC associated with then-candidate former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), was critical of Trump’s foreign policy opinions and his behavior, according to CNN.

In a Fox News radio interview, Ortagus blasted Trump’s behavior as “disgusting” after he mocked a reporter with a disability.

“You have somebody who makes fun of people with mental and physical disabilities. That’s disgusting; there’s no other way around it,” she said at the time. “Quite frankly, I don’t want someone with the temperament of a middle school pubescent boy in the president’s office.”