Ivanka Trump Tipped to Replace Nikki Haley as UN Ambassador

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Following the surprise resignation of Nikki Haley as UN Ambassador on Tuesday morning, speculation is mounting that the president may choose Ivanka Trump as her replacement.

President Donald Trump responded to the rumors saying his own daughter and current White House adviser would be "dynamite" in the role of United Nations Ambassador.

Speaking on the Soth Lawn before leaving for Iowa, Trump said there is no one more competent for the job.

"The people that know, it's nothing to do with nepotism.

"Ivanka would be dynamite, but, you know, I would then be accused of nepotism, if you can believe it, right?

"I think Ivanka would be incredible.

"It doesn't mean I would pick her.

"Because you would be accused of nepotism.

"Even though I'm not sure there is anybody more competent in the world.

"But that's OK. But we are looking at numerous people."

Nepotism or not, it's hard to disagree that the First Daughter would make a fine choice for UN Ambassador.

As the saying goes; why go out for burgers when you have steak at home?

Despite the speculation, Ivanka has denied she will be in the running for the job in a brief post on Twitter.

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According to ABC News, Haley unexpectedly announced her resignation from the Oval Office on Tuesday morning.

The names of possible replacements -- including the president's eldest daughter -- were quickly floated in the press.

Haley thanked Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, who were in the Oval Office during the announcement, for their work and friendship.

"I can't say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka," Haley said.

"Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands.

"Ivanka has been just a great friend.

"And they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about."

It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me.

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 9, 2018

Not long after Trump said that his daughter would make a great replacement, she stepped in to set the record straight, tweeting that Haley's replacement "will not be me."

Another woman, however, is on the shortlist for possible replacements -- Dina Powell, the former deputy national security adviser.

"Dina," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, "would love it."

Trump should replace Nikki Haley with Ivanka.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) October 9, 2018

Make way for Ivanka ..

— Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) October 9, 2018

According to @Trumpsalert, @IvankaTrump started following a lot of Defense Department accounts yesterday pic.twitter.com/J3ZtngjloG

— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) October 9, 2018

Reminder that Trump previously floated the idea of Ivanka as US ambassador to the United Nations

— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) October 9, 2018

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Legal questions

According to Business Insider, the idea of the first daughter taking on such a prominent role has led to questions about whether it would violate the 1967 anti-nepotism statute. 

The same questions arose when the president hired Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner, as a senior White House adviser at the start of his administration.

But the issue was dismissed by the Department of Justice lawyers who said the law only applies to executive "agency" hires — and the White House isn't an agency. 

Legal experts are split about whether the law would apply this time. 

For context, the federal anti-nepotism bill became a law in 1967, just six years after then-President John F. Kennedy made his brother Bobby US attorney general.

Andrew Hessick, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, told Business Insider that he doesn't think the anti-nepotism law applies to the UN position.

"I don't think the appointment of Ivanka would violate the anti-nepotism law," he said.

"The relevant part of the anti-nepotism law, 5 USC 3110, prohibits the president from appointing relatives to 'an Executive agency.'

"The UN is not an executive agency of the United States.

"It is an international organization.

"Under 22 USC 287, the president can appoint a representative for the United States to that international organization.

"So I don't see a problem under the anti-nepotism law."

As always, let us know your thoughts on this in the comments section below.