WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, has decided to withdraw his nomination to avoid the requirement of divesting from his investment business. However, despite not being confirmed by the Senate, he plans to remain actively involved in hostage issues.
Boehler, known for his involvement in securing the release of Marc Fogel, an American history teacher unjustly held in Russia, will continue to work within the Trump administration on hostage matters even after withdrawing his nomination last Friday, according to a senior White House official who requested anonymity.
Boehler gained attention for engaging in direct discussions with Hamas recently as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to prolong the Gaza ceasefire and explore potential hostage-for-prisoner swaps.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a brusque statement about the U.S.-Hamas discussions,, saying “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
Trump is still confident in Boehler, according to the official, and will continue working on hostage affairs as a special government employee. That designation subjects him to less stringent rules on ethics and financial disclosures than other workers.
Boehler is the founder and managing partner of a health-care investment firm, Rubicon Founders. He served in the first Trump administration, for a time as director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and was a lead negotiator on the Abraham Accords team back then.
Special government employees are usually appointed to their position for up to 130 days.
He becomes the fourth Trump administration nominee who didn’t make it to a confirmation hearing.
On Thursday, Dr. David Weldon’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was withdrawn because the former Florida congressman wasn’t assured of getting enough Republican support to be confirmed.
Previously, former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general and Chad Chronister for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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