President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Morgan Ortagus as deputy Mideast envoy, marking a notable inclusion in his growing foreign policy team. Ortagus, who served as the State Department spokesperson during Trump’s first term, will work under Steve Witkoff, a businessman tasked with leading Trump’s Middle East agenda.
Trump’s announcement on Truth Social reflected mixed sentiments, acknowledging Ortagus’s past criticisms of his foreign policy approach during the 2016 primaries and her support for Nikki Haley in the 2024 election. “These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me; I’m doing it for them,” Trump wrote, adding, “I expect great results, and soon!”
Ortagus brings extensive experience to the role, including her time as a public affairs officer at USAID, an intelligence analyst in the Treasury Department, and deputy Treasury attaché in Riyadh. Her expertise is expected to complement Witkoff’s business acumen as the team addresses complex regional challenges.
The team faces immediate high-stakes tasks, including potentially facilitating a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, with Qatari mediators hosting talks. Trump’s team, including other key figures like Massad Boulos and Mike Huckabee, is positioned to tackle a volatile regional landscape.
While tensions may linger, Ortagus’s appointment underscores Trump’s willingness to prioritize experience and results over past political disputes. Her role will likely be pivotal as the administration seeks to deliver on its promise of “calm and prosperity” in the Middle East.
