Trump sends nomination for Russia ambassador to Senate

The White House on Thursday sent its nomination for ambassador to Russia to the Senate.

Trump officially announced the nomination of Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan last Friday. Sullivan, who joined the administration with then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in 2017, will replace outgoing Ambassador Jon Huntsman if confirmed. Trump first signaled his intent to nominate Sullivan in August, calling him “very respected” after The New York Times reported he was the president’s likely pick.

{mosads}Sullivan was confirmed to his current position in a 94-6 vote.

Confirmation would also allow Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to nominate his own deputy to replace Sullivan, who stayed on after Tillerson’s ouster in 2018.

Sullivan has previously served in the Justice Department under the George H.W. Bush administration and as the Pentagon’s deputy general counsel and as general counsel for the Commerce Department under the George W. Bush administration. He also served as acting secretary of State between Tillerson’s departure and Pompeo’s confirmation.