Robert Blanton, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is available for comments regarding the resignation of Nikki Haley, UN ambassador.
Blanton was surprised by Haley’s resignation as almost all of the previous resignations were due to either scandals or personal difficulties in working with Trump. Given her broader ambitions, this could be a move to free her up to run (or be appointed) to another office, most likely the Senate. It’s no secret that Trump has been unhappy with Sessions and Lindsey Graham has been positioning himself as a potential replacement. Blanton doesn’t see this having any effect on the foreign policies of the Trump administration. While she did forge a marginally independent path in criticizing Russia, most of her efforts served to fulfill Trump’s broader goal of disengaging from the UN. Ultimately, her role was largely symbolic.
Blanton is available for comment today via phone, email or skype about these developments.
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