Trump's pick for hostage negotiations envoy withdraws nomination but will continue on hostage issues
Source: AP
Updated 12:28 PM EDT, March 15, 2025
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump’s choice to become special envoy for hostage affairs, has withdrawn his nomination in order to avoid a requirement that he divest from his investment business. But even absent Senate confirmation, he will continue working on hostage issues.
Boehler, whose efforts were key in the release of Marc Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, will still work for the Trump administration focusing on hostage negotiations despite withdrawing his nomination Friday, according to a senior White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Boehler drew some controversy for having direct talks with Hamas last month as the Trump administration works to extend the Gaza ceasefire for a few more weeks and see some hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. 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.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-hostage-envoy-adam-boehler-50f28c5b58a0e585df526d0b2da13856