Cindy McCain to be named Biden ambassador to UN program: report

President Biden is preparing to name Cindy McCain as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations World Food Program, according to Politico.

Two unidentified sources told the news outlet that McCain, 66, is being prepped to be Biden’s first Republican appointee to a Senate-confirmed position. 

McCain, the widow of the late Arizona Sen. John McCain (R), is reportedly undergoing a background check. The administration is expected to announce the majority of its ambassadors at the same time, according to Politico.

Her appointment would follow a tradition observed by former Presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Clinton of nominating at least one person from the opposing party to a Cabinet position. Politico notes that former President Trump broke the tradition.

Politico added that Cindy McCain has a history of working on programs to combat food insecurity and has previously worked with the U.N. World Food Program. During her husband’s 2008 presidential campaign, she traveled to the country of Georgia with the program and visited wounded soldiers.

Cindy McCain endorsed Biden in the 2020 presidential election after John McCain and Trump had a contentious relationship. Trump repeatedly insulted the senator, at one point questioning his status as a war hero, saying, “I like people who weren’t captured.”

Biden’s win in Arizona was partially credited to Cindy McCain’s endorsement, with some referring to it as John McCain’s “revenge.”