Matthew George Whitaker, born on October 29, 1969, is an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat whose career has spanned local Iowa politics to international ambassadorships. Serving as the 26th United States Ambassador to NATO since 2025 in the second administration of President Donald Trump, Whitaker's journey is marked by diverse roles and significant political moments.
Early Life and Education
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew Whitaker graduated from Ankeny High School, where he excelled as a football star. He pursued higher education, earning a football scholarship to the University of Iowa, where he played as a tight end. He still wears a ring marking his team’s 1991 game in the Rose Bowl and frequently cites his glory days on the gridiron in speeches and conversations. One of his campaign advertisements, when he sought the Republican nomination for Senate in 2014, included old clips of him scoring a touchdown. While in college, Whitaker considered a career in Hollywood but ultimately earned a master’s degree in business and a law degree.
Early Career and Political Aspirations
Whitaker's early career involved working for several regional law firms, including Briggs & Morgan in Minneapolis and Finley Alt Smith in Des Moines. He also served as corporate counsel for the national grocery store chain SuperValu in Minneapolis.
In 2002, Whitaker entered the political arena as the Republican nominee for Treasurer of Iowa, though he lost to the incumbent, Michael Fitzgerald. Despite this early setback, he remained active in Republican politics.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa (2004-2009)
From 2004 to 2009, Whitaker served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he was known for his tough stance on crime, particularly drug trafficking. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recommended Whitaker as one of three attorneys suggested to President George W. Attorneys Michael Heavican of Nebraska and Charles Larson Sr. Attorney, Whitaker sought stringent sentences for individuals charged with drug crimes. One case involved a woman who had two prior nonviolent drug convictions and was informed by Whitaker's office that, as a third-time offender, her sentence could be enhanced to a mandatory life sentence unless she agreed to a plea deal of 21 to 27 years in prison. She agreed to the plea bargain.
Read also: Diet and Exercise of a Champion
During his tenure, Whitaker's office prosecuted gang members, child sexual abusers, and drug dealers. He also faced criticism following the acquittal of an openly gay Democratic state senator, Matt McCoy, who was charged with corruption. McCoy argued that the prosecution was politically motivated, alleging that Whitaker’s office targeted him to appease the Republican Party's evangelical wing.
Post-Attorney Career
After resigning as U.S. Attorney in November 2009, Whitaker pursued various ventures in the private sector. He sought an appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2011, emphasizing his commitment to impartially interpreting the law. He also launched a lobbying firm with Sarah Failor in October 2011.
Whitaker also owned several small businesses, including a day-care center and a trailer manufacturer in Iowa. He also served on the board of World Patent Marketing, an invention promotion company that was shut down in March 2017 by federal regulators who accused it of engaging in deceptive marketing practices and scamming consumers out of $26 million. The FBI is now investigating the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Whitaker has denied any wrongdoing.
From 2014 to 2017, Whitaker served on the advisory board of World Patent Marketing (WPM), a Florida-based company billed as an invention promotion firm. The company was later determined to have engaged in deceptive practices. From October 2014 to September 2017, Whitaker was the executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT); he was the organization's only full-time employee in 2015 and 2016. FACT, founded in late 2014, is a conservative nonprofit organization specializing in legal and ethical issues related to politics. The group was backed by $1 million in seed money from conservative donors. According to the organization's first tax return, its funding - $600,000 in 2014 - came from a conservative donor-advised fund called Donors Trust. From its creation in 2014 through 2018, FACT reported contributions of $3.5 million on its tax filings.
2014 U.S. Senate Campaign
In 2014, Whitaker ran in the Iowa Republican primary for the United States Senate. During his campaign, he expressed controversial views on the judiciary, stating that judges should have a "biblical view of justice" and questioning the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison. He lost the nomination to Joni Ernst, who subsequently won the general election.
Read also: Extreme Dieting for Film
Return to the Justice Department
In September 2017, Whitaker re-entered the Justice Department as chief of staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On September 22, 2017, a Justice Department official announced that Sessions was appointing Whitaker to replace Jody Hunt as his chief of staff.
Following Sessions' resignation in November 2018, Whitaker was appointed Acting Attorney General by President Trump. This appointment was met with controversy due to Whitaker's prior criticism of the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Democrats raised concerns about his ability to oversee the investigation impartially and called for his recusal.
During his time as Acting Attorney General, Whitaker signed the regulation that reclassified bump stocks as machine guns, rendering them illegal to possess under federal law. On December 18, 2018, Whitaker signed the regulation that reclassified bump stocks as machine guns, rendering them illegal to possess under federal law. The four members of Trump's Federal Commission on School Safety were appointed in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, with Whitaker replacing Sessions in November 2018. In 2017, Whitaker criticized the Mueller investigation on television and on social media and stated that there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Democrats poised to assume chairmanships of key House committees in January 2019 warned the Justice Department and other departments to preserve records relating to the Mueller investigation and Sessions' firing.
Whitaker served as Acting Attorney General until William Barr was confirmed as the new Attorney General in February 2019. On February 15, 2019, after William Barr was sworn in as Attorney General, Whitaker became a senior counselor in the Office of the Associate Attorney General; he resigned from the Justice Department on March 2, 2019.
Post-Justice Department Career
After leaving the Justice Department, Whitaker became a guest on news and analysis shows, including as a CNN contributor. He also affiliated with the law firm of Graves Garrett.
Read also: Weight Loss Strategies
In October 2019, after leaving the White House, Whitaker defended Trump amid the impeachment investigation into his conduct as president.
Ambassador to NATO
On November 20, 2024, Whitaker was announced as the nominee to serve as the United States ambassador to NATO by President-elect Donald Trump. On February 12, 2025, his nomination was sent to the Senate. His nomination was reported favorably by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and sent to the floor on March 12.
Controversies and Criticisms
Throughout his career, Whitaker has faced several controversies and criticisms. His prosecution of Matt McCoy, the openly gay Democratic state senator, drew accusations of political motivation. His association with World Patent Marketing, which was later accused of being a scam, also raised ethical questions.
His statements on the judiciary and religious beliefs during his 2014 Senate campaign were criticized as discriminatory and unconstitutional. Additionally, his prior criticisms of the Mueller investigation led to concerns about his impartiality as Acting Attorney General.