Five people on shortlist to replace Haley as UN-ambassador: Trump
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has said he has five persons in mind, including his former Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell, to replace Nikki Haley as the US Ambassador to the UN.
Haley announced on Tuesday that she would resign from her post effective at the end of 2018.
She had submitted her resignation on October 3, which has shocked many in White House.
Details
Trump says Haley would help in finding her replacement
Trump said 46-year-old Haley would assist in the search for her replacement, and that he plans to settle on a pick in the next two to three weeks.
Trump told reporters, "We have actually many names... Nikki is going to help us with the choice. I've heard a lot of names."
Speaking further, Trump said he identified only one person on the list- Powell.
About
Powell had worked with George W Bush too
Powell served in the first year of the Trump administration as the Deputy National Security Adviser for strategy and was a key player in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
She returned to Goldman Sachs, where she worked for more than a decade, earlier this year.
She also was a high-ranking official in the State Department of the previous Republican President, George W Bush.
Others
Other names for US envoy include Jon Huntsman, Heather Nauert
Taking other names, Trump said, "Rick Grenell is someone I'd consider," referring to the US Ambassador to Germany.
However, he quickly added that Grenell wasn't on his short list of five candidates, saying he's doing well in his current post.
Along with Powell, other names include US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Heather Nauert.
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Meanwhile, Trump also suggested Ivanka's name but retracted later
Trump had also suggested the name of his daughter Ivanka, saying that she would be "dynamite" for the post, but later said he would be accused of nepotism if he selected her. Ivanka too announced on Twitter yesterday saying, "That replacement will not be me."
Reputation
Haley would still be involved in Trump administration after resigning
Coming back to Haley, Trump said, "Nikki is a great friend of mine. We've become real friends over the period... She's done a fantastic job."
He said Haley would be involved with the administration for a long time even after resigning from the diplomatic position.
Haley, the highest ranking Indian-American in the Trump administration, has agreed to stay till year-end in the post.
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Haley brought new level of prestige to the position: Trump
"I think she (Nikki) also brought a new level of prestige to that position. That position is, in terms of people wanting it, easier now, in a way, than it was before. Nikki has brought, obviously, great competence," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Collaboration
Haley to help Trump in 2020 re-election bid
Trump said Haley would be helping him in his 2020 re-election bid.
However, Haley had supported someone else over him in the primary for 2016 presidential election.
"It turned out very well for me. She respected it. And after that, we got along very well. She helped me in the election, once I won the primaries. We've done a great job together," he said.