Richard Grenell’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to Germany has been stalled for several months, but some gay rights activists and conservative commentators are pushing for the openly gay appointee to be voted into the post sooner rather than later, The New York Times reports.
“I understand those who are frustrated with the Trump administration and the actions the Trump administration has taken” who have also opposed Grenell, said Stuart Milk, the co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation. “And I think that’s misguided.”
The gay conservative group, Log Cabin Republicans, has also criticized the delay.
“Rick Grenell not getting confirmed is an embarrassment,” conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt told Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., earlier this month.
“Would you go to the leader and get that scheduled?” Hewitt said. “I just can’t get over this.”
Grenell has had his nomination held by at least one Democrat in the Senate, and has been criticized for tweets making fun of Democratic women over the last few years including one aimed at Hillary Clinton that said she was “starting to look like Madeleine Albright.”
"I cannot in good faith support a nominee who has a lengthy track record of tweets attacking both prominent Democratic and prominent Republican women," Sen. Jeff Merkely, D-Ore., said last week after he blocked an attempt by Republicans to call up Grenell’s nomination.
"Since his nomination, these tweets have continued, showing a complete disregard for the Senate confirmation process and disregard for the seriousness of the position to which he is nominated," he added.
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