K.T. McFarland officially withdrawn as nominee for ambassador

by Olivia Beavers - 02/05/18 5:13 PM ET

K.T. McFarland’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to Singapore was officially withdrawn on Monday, according to a White House press release.

President Trump on Friday announced the withdrawal of his former deputy national security adviser after her nomination became hindered by her involvement in the ongoing Russia probe.

The president accused Democrats of being responsible for her failed bid for the position.

“Unfortunately, some Democrats chose to play politics rather than move forward with a qualified nominee for a critically important post,” he said in a statement.{mosads}

McFarland’s nomination came under scrutiny from both Republicans and Democrats last year over allegations that she misled the Senate about what she knew in regard to former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s contacts with Russia before Trump took office.

She told lawmakers that she “was not aware” of Flynn’s communications with Russia. Court documents, however, later surfaced and revealed Flynn had emailed McFarland about his contacts with a top Kremlin official during last year’s presidential transition.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, announced in December that her nomination was “frozen” until the discrepancy could be cleared up.

McFarland asked Trump in a letter to withdraw her nomination last week, without mentioning any particular reason for the decision.

“I am asking that you withdraw my nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to Singapore,” she wrote, according to Reuters.

“I have come to this decision reluctantly, because I believe in your mission.”

Tags Bob Corker Donald Trump Foreign Relations Committee Russia Investigation