Trump nominates Herschel Walker to serve as ambassador to the Bahamas

Tia Mitchell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec 18, 2024

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President-elect Donald Trump wants University of Georgia football legend and former U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker to serve as his ambassador to the Bahamas.

Trump announced his nomination via a post on his Truth Social site late Monday night where he mentioned Walker’s Heisman Award and NFL accomplishments, as well as his work with youth and the military on topics like mental health and physical fitness. Trump also noted that Walker was a member of the U.S. bobsled team in the 1992 Winter Olympics.

“Congratulations Herschel! You will make Georgia, and our entire Nation, proud, because we know you will always put AMERICA FIRST!” Trump wrote.

Walker’s appointment will require Senate confirmation. That means he will likely be asking for the support of his former rival, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. Trump endorsed Walker in the 2022 race, but he lost to Warnock in a runoff.

Walker recently graduated from the University of Georgia, having returned to complete the bachelor’s degree he set aside to pursue his professional football career.

He is the second consecutive Georgian to be nominated to serve as the ambassador to the Bahamas.

Calvin Smyre retired as the longest-serving member of Georgia House after President Joe Biden appointed him in 2021 to an ambassadorship, first in the Dominican Republic before saying he would rather Smyre serve in the Bahamas.

Smyre never was confirmed by the Senate, and Biden chose not to reappoint him in 2023.

Walker joins a growing list of Georgians appointed by Trump to serve in his administration. He selected former U.S. Sen. David Perdue to serve as U.S. ambassador to China and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Association. Trump also tapped former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins to serve as his Veterans Affairs secretary.

_____