Donald Trump picks Nikki Haley to be U.S. Ambassador to UN

NEW YORK (Diya TV) — President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the transition team announced Wednesday.

Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, has already done a supreme job of etching her name in the history books — she’s currently serving as South Carolina’s first female and first minority governor.

Once touted as a possible VP pick, Trump’s tapping of Haley only serves to raise her profile further as one of the party’s fast-rising stars. In a statement released Wednesday, Haley said the US “faces enormous challenges” both at home and internationally. She cited a “sense of duty” in accepting Trump’s offer.

“When the President believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation’s standing in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed,” Haley said. “The second is a satisfaction with all that we have achieved in our state in the last six years and the knowledge that we are on a very strong footing.”

She was also reportedly considered for secretary of state.

In the immediate, she will continue to serve as governor until the Senate confirms her nomination.

“We still have much to do in South Carolina, and my commitment to the people of our state will always remain unbreakable, both while I continue to hold this office, and thereafter,” she said in a statement.

During the presidential primaries, Haley was not quiet about her opposition of Trump’s candidacy. She disavowed him publicly, appearing on behalf of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and endorsing Sen. Ted Cruz after the Floridian dropped out of the race. The relationship between Haley and Trump has been far from cordial, with both sides taking shots at the other during the presidential race.

Rep. Sean Duffy said Wednesday that the fact that Trump is even considering Haley after her criticism of the President-elect speaks highly of him.

“I think it’s quite remarkable that he’s looking for talent and not trying to settle old scores,” the Wisconsin Republican told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day.”

Trump called Haley’s stance on immigration “weak” in January after she welcomed properly vetted legal immigrants into her state, regardless of their race or religion. He also tweeted in March, “The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!”

The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2016

Haley went as far to say that Trump represents “everything a governor doesn’t want in a president.”

“I want someone who is going to hold Republicans accountable, and I want someone who is going to make a difference, not just for our party but for every person they represent in the country,” she told reporters in February.

But by October, Haley had switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump even though she was “not a fan.”

“I’m just giddy, and if you talk to any of the governors here, we are so excited at the possibility and the opportunities that are going to be here,” she said after his win.

“The idea that now we can start to really govern — I have never known what it’s like to have a Republican president. I can tell you that the last five years, Washington has been the hardest part of my job,” Haley said. “This is a new day.”