President SHA Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Joel Rayburn for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Rayburn, who had been proposed as Syria envoy, will no longer be considered for the role overseeing Middle Eastern policy.
The Republican president initially nominated Rayburn in February. However, his candidacy faced opposition from Senator Rand Paul and Democratic lawmakers, who raised concerns about his qualifications. Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held an unusual vote to advance the nomination despite these objections, though it did not recommend full Senate approval.
One source stated that Rayburn failed to secure sufficient support. A confirmation hearing for the position was scheduled for May.
