US ambassadors to Jordan and Saudi Arabia end postings with Trump’s return

Two careers diplomats who were serving as US ambassadors to Jordan and Saudi Arabia have ended their postings upon US President Donald Trump’s return to office, a source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel.

It is custom for all US ambassadors around the world to tender their resignations upon the start of a new administration. The new administration then decides whether to accept those resignations. The resignations of political appointees are almost always accepted, but those of career diplomats are often rejected.

Yael Lempert and Michael Ratley are two career diplomats appointed to their posts in Amman and Riyadh respectively by former US president Joe Biden.

The decision to accept their resignations indicates that the Trump administration looks to install political appointees more closely aligned with its worldview in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Biden had nominated career diplomat Stephanie Hallett to serve as the next ambassador to Bahrain. Her confirmation hearing was never held, though, leaving her future in limbo. Hallett had been serving as deputy ambassador to Israel and was elevated to the head of the mission in Jerusalem, after former US ambassador to Israel Jack Lew stepped down last week, upon the completion of the Biden administration’s term.