Former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman is negotiating to become the second-highest official at the State Department.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Huntsman is under consideration to be named the Deputy Secretary of State under Rex Tillerson. However, that appointment may not be a slam-dunk because of Huntsman’s past critical statements of President Trump. Tillerson’s original pick for the deputy position, Elliot Abrams, was rejected by the Trump administration because of his past criticism of Trump.
Mr. Huntsman, who had at one point been considered as a candidate for secretary of state, has also been critical of Mr. Trump. Mr. Huntsman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
He endorsed Mr. Trump for president in September, but in October called for Mr. Trump to drop out of the race after a recording leaked of Mr. Trump making sexually aggressive comments about women.
“In a campaign cycle that has been nothing but a race to the bottom—at such a critical moment for our nation—and with so many who have tried to be respectful of a record primary vote, the time has come for Governor Pence to lead the ticket,” Mr. Huntsman told the Salt Lake Tribune last October.
Officials tell the Journal that other candidates may be under consideration at this time.
