The Trump administration is expected to appoint Cindy McCain, the wife of Sen. John McCain
John Sidney McCainExiting the Russia nuclear treaty impacts military strategy in Asia Evangelical pastor on bus tour contrasts Trump quotes with the Bible Meghan McCain: I regret contributing to polarization by saying 'I hate Hillary Clinton' MORE (R-Ariz.), to a role in the State Department, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
Which position McCain could step into is not yet clear, though one potential option could be as an ambassador-at-large — a post in which she could focus on a specific issue, such as human trafficking.
The McCains discussed possible choices with President Trump during a dinner at the White House last month, the AP reported.
John McCain, the powerful chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and 2008 GOP presidential nominee, has been fiercely critical of Trump's foreign policy and national security operation since before the real estate mogul entered the White House.
He has taken particularly sharp aim at Trump's proposed "America first" vision of foreign policy, which downplays the U.S. role in state building and foreign military intervention. McCain has also ripped Trump over his friendlier approach to Russia and other adversaries of the U.S.
But as he faces mounting foreign policy challenges in Syria and North Korea, Trump has begun to take a traditional approach to international relations. In recent weeks, Trump has toughened his tone with regards to Russia, a major ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and has taken a more adversarial stance toward North Korea amid heightened international concerns over Pyongyang's weapons programs.
By placing Cindy McCain in a senior role in his administration, Trump could deescalate tensions between himself and conservative foreign policy establishment figures, such as McCain and fellow GOP hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamGraham: I'm not going to blame Trump for 'nut job' who sent bombs to Dems Trump deals with Saudis may be worth much less than 0 billion Congress raises pressure on Saudi Arabia MORE (S.C.).
