US President-elect, Donald Trump has announced his choice of Keith Kellogg to serve as a Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, a newly created role as the two countries remain at war and the US’s support for Ukraine will be a key decision for Trump’s incoming administration.
Kellogg previously served as a National Security Adviser to Trump and to former Vice President Mike Pence in Trump’s first term.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.”
“Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!”
Donald Trump
The choice comes after reports last week that Trump was considering Richard Grenell for the role. Grenell served as Intelligence Chief during Trump’s first term.
This comes as he announced a flurry of picks for his administration late Tuesday, including Jamieson Greer as his trade representative and Jim O’Neill as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services.
Trump Cabinet Picks Targeted
Meanwhile, the Trump-Vance transition team revealed in a statement that several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees “were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them.”
Karoline Leavitt, who will serve as Trump’s Press Secretary, said in a statement, “These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’”
“In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.
“President Trump and the Transition are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future. With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”
Karoline Leavitt
Swatting is a criminal hoax that involves falsely reporting a crime, such as a mass shooting or bomb threat with the intention of getting police to arrive at a certain location.
In a statement, the FBI said it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees” and working with other law enforcement agencies to respond.
The agency added, “We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”
Some members of Trump’s cabinet have emerged as subjects of bomb threats are Howard Lutnick; Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency pick; former Rep. Lee Zeldin, Matt Gaetz; the initial nominee for attorney general who has since withdrawn and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik; Trump’s UN ambassador choice.
Zeldin posted on X, “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message.”
“My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops. We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers to keep our family, neighbors, and local community secure.”
Lee Zeldin
The homes of Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary pick and Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick to serve as Agriculture Secretary were targeted.
Rollins posted on X, “We learned that a threat was issued against our home and family.”
Rollins expressed my deep gratitude to the law-enforcement professionals “who did their utmost, in both speed and expertise, to protect us — as they protect our community every single day.”
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