Heather Nauert

Nauert is a native of Rockford, Illinois,{{cite news |last=Braun |first=Georgette |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Rockford native appointed State Department spokeswoman |url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170505/rockford-native-appointed-state-department-spokeswoman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611142607/https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170505/rockford-native-appointed-state-department-spokeswoman |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=June 6, 2017 |work=Rockford Register Star}} and spent much of her childhood in Wisconsin. Her father, Peter Nauert, was an executive in the insurance industry. She has three brothers: Justin, Jonathan, and Joseph.{{cite news |date=August 24, 2007 |title=Death Notice: Peter W. Nauert |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-08-24-0708231132-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune}}

Nauert attended Keith Country Day School in Rockford, Illinois. After landing an internship hosting a country music video program in Washington, D.C., she stayed there to finish school, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Mount Vernon College for Women. She received her master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.{{cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=May 25, 2000 |title=The New Face Of the Talking Head |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/05/25/the-new-face-of-the-talking-head/148e12dc-1db7-492f-bba3-acee335bce1e/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In March 2018, the AP wrote about Nauert's "meteoric rise" in the State Department. "U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Nauert are among the few women in the Trump administration with high-profile voices on foreign policy. Only three State Department officials – all men – now outrank Nauert."{{Cite web |date=2018-03-18 |title=At State Department, Heather Nauert's star is ascendant |url=https://apnews.com/article/5dc08f00c1d54066b6ec1d7277aedbbb |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}

While at the State Department, Nauert conducted press briefings and oversaw communications and public diplomacy for the 75,000-person department. She reported directly to two secretaries of state, Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo, and traveled extensively, including to North Korea to participate in denuclearization talks and bring home three American hostages held by the regime.{{Cite news |last=Morello |first=Carol |date=2018-05-11 |title=Perspective {{!}} My journey to North Korea with the secretary of state |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/my-journey-to-north-korea-with-the-secretary-of-state/2018/05/10/93f7c90e-5472-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

She also served on the board of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which administers U.S. taxpayer-funded television and radio networks, including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Asia, Radio Free Liberty, Cuba Broadcasting and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/board/heather-nauert/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}

After leaving public office, Nauert joined several boards for leading national security and international relations organizations. In 2019, Trump appointed Nauert to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.{{cite news|title=Heather Nauert To Be Nominated To Post Overseeing White House Fellowships |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/heather-nauert-white-house-fellows_n_5cd24797e4b0e524a47ca5a8|last=Visser|first=Nick|work=Huffington Post|date=May 8, 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Conradis |first=Brandon |date=2019-05-08 |title=Trump taps ex-State spokeswoman Heather Nauert to help oversee White House fellowships |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/442633-trump-taps-ex-state-spokeswoman-heather-nauert-to-help-oversee-white/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

Nauert serves on the Board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, which advocates for strong U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. issues overseas. In 2023, she joined USGLC's newly launched Conservative Foreign Policy Study Group alongside over 60 conservative foreign policy and national security leaders.{{Cite web |title=USGLC Launches Conservative Foreign Policy Study Group |url=https://www.usglc.org/newsroom/usglc-launches-conservative-foreign-policy-study-group/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=USGLC |language=en-US}}

In 2020, Nauert joined the Board of Advisors for the Center for New American Security, an independent, bipartisan nonprofit that conducts research and develops pragmatic and principled defense and national security policies.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-07 |title=BGR Advisory Board Member Heather Nauert Joins CNAS Board of Advisors |url=https://bgrdc.com/heather-nauert-joins-cnas-board-of-advisors/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=BGR Group |language=en}} The Board includes leaders from the military, government, private sector, and academia.{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert |url=https://www.cnas.org/people/heather-nauert |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Center for a New American Security (en-US) |language=en}} She was a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank, until 2021.{{cite web |title=Heather Nauert Senior Fellow |url=https://www.hudson.org/experts/1289-heather-nauert |publisher=Hudson Institute |access-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301160556/https://www.hudson.org/experts/1289-heather-nauert |archive-date=March 1, 2020}}

In 2020, Nauert joined the advisory board of BGR Group, a government relations and public affairs firm in Washington, D.C. She also serves as a senior advisor to corporations, think tanks, and foundations. Nauert advises Fortune 500 companies, reporting to CEOs and boards of directors, providing leaders with strategic communications guidance, including developing and leading media campaigns to achieve clients' unique goals.{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert {{!}} Public Relations Leader at BGR Group |url=https://bgrdc.com/team/heather-nauert/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=BGR Group |language=en}}

File:Spokesperson Nauert Addresses Reporters at the Department Press Briefing (35593416062).jpg

Since 2021, Nauert has served on the National Advisory Board of Warriors in Quiet Waters, a Montana-based veterans service organization that empowers post-911 combat veterans to thrive and live purpose-driven lives.{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert |url=https://warriorsandquietwaters.org/board/heather-nauert |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Warriors & Quiet Waters |language=en}}

Nauert consults corporate and non-profit clients. In 2023, she joined the Federal Advisory Board of Armis, a cybersecurity firm. She is a contributor to the British TV network, ITV News, where she provided analysis of the 2024 election.{{Cite news |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Talking Politics USA: Fighting talk, Taylor Swift and Trump's 'people eating pets' claim |url=https://www.itv.com/watch/news/talking-politics-usa-fighting-talk-taylor-swift-and-trumps-people-eating-pets-claim/gb1jsd8 |work=ITV News}}

Before serving in government, Nauert spent nearly 20 years as a news anchor and correspondent at Fox News and ABC News, where she covered the September 11 terror attacks, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and genocide in Darfur, Sudan.{{Cite web |title=FNC Evening News for 2004-10-07 {{!}} Vanderbilt Television News Archive |url=https://tvnews.library.vanderbilt.edu/programs/1311830 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=tvnews.library.vanderbilt.edu}}

Nauert covered four U.S. presidential elections, Republican and Democratic conventions, a presidential inauguration, and the 2008 financial crisis. She also anchored the coverage of the terrorist attacks in Boston, Orlando, and San Bernardino.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-25 |title=Appointment of Heather Nauert as State Department Spokesperson |url=https://geneva.usmission.gov/2017/04/25/appointment-of-heather-nauert-as-state-department-spokesperson/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva |language=en-US}}

In 1996, Nauert was a reporter for the syndicated business program First Business. She worked for Fox News from 1998 to 2005, first as a contributor for three years and then as a correspondent for four years.{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/person/n/heather-nauert |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Fox Business |language=en-US}} During her time as a correspondent, she regularly contributed to The Big Story, where she ultimately became co-anchor in 2007.{{Cite web |date=2007-06-20 |title=Nauert Expected To Co-Host FNC's Big Story |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/nauert-expected-to-co-host-fncs-big-story/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}}

She departed Fox News and joined ABC News from 2005 to 2007, where she worked as a general assignment correspondent, contributing to ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, and Nightline.{{Cite web |date=2005-06-02 |title=It's Official: Heather Nauert To ABC News |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/its-official-heather-nauert-to-abc-news/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}}

While at ABC, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her in-depth piece on teenage girls in Iraq during the war on the special series 13 Around the World.{{cite news |date=March 6, 2017 |title=Heather Nauert: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/news/2017/03/heather-nauert-husband-fox-friends-hosts-state-department-donald-trump-family-net-worth-instagram-age/ |work=Heavy.com}} In 2007, Nauert returned to Fox News as co-host with John Gibson of the weekday edition of The Big Story until it was canceled in 2008.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZjnyKm2Ifs |title=Heather Nauert Returns to Fox News! |date=2007-09-17 |access-date=2024-09-14 |via=YouTube}}

Nauert also co-anchored the newscasts Good Day Early Call and Good Day New York Wake Up with co-anchor Steve Lacy weekday mornings for Fox Broadcasting Company owned-and-operated station WNYW in New York City. In October 2012, Nauert left Good Day Wake Up to rejoin Fox News Channel full time as an anchor and breaking news reporter. She appeared regularly on Fox & Friends.{{cite news |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/heather-nauert-and-juliet-huddy-swap-roles-with-fox/|title=Heather Nauert and Juliet Huddy Swap Roles at Fox|first=Jerry|last=Barmash|work=AdWeek|date=October 17, 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/trumps-admin-appoints-heather-nauert-a-former-fox-friends-host-as-acting-under-secretary-8494591 |title=Trump's Admin Appoints Heather Nauert, A Former 'Fox & Friends' Host, As Acting Under Secretary|first=Mehreen|last=Kasana |work=Bustle|date=March 13, 2018}} According to the Washington Post, Nauert "broadcast just about every right-wing talking-point under the sun" when she was a presenter on Fox News. She referred to illegal immigrant students as "illegals"{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/07/heather-nauert-cited-d-day-height-us-german-relations-now-shes-headed-un/|title=Heather Nauert once cited D-Day in 'long history' of U.S.-German relations. Now she's headed to the U.N.|date=2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 3, 2019}} and cited CDC studies that immigrant children were bringing disease like tuberculosis.{{cite news|title=Media Matters for America clip|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/embed/static/clips/2016%3A04%3A25%3A46094%3Afnc-f-f-nauert-diseasechildren-42516}}{{Cite web |title=Implementation of New TB Screening Requirements for U.S.-Bound Immigrants and Refugees — 2007–2014 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6311a3.htm |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.cdc.gov}}

She has appeared on two fictional TV shows in which she played herself: 24 (3 episodes, 2010) and Brother's Keeper (1 episode, 1999).{{cn|date=December 2024}}

While working as a reporter for Fox News and ABC News, Nauert traveled to Baghdad, Fallujah, Irbil, and Jordan, where she covered the beginning of the Iraq War, the insurgency, and the reconstruction. She also covered Saddam Hussein's trial and death, the first free election, and the everyday life of Iraqi civilians, including young girls living in an orphanage.

More than 4,400 Americans were killed and 32,000 wounded in the War. Nauert said, "The impact of this war on service members, their families and our nation is still apparent – and even raw – today."

Speaking about her various reporting assignments in 2004, 2006, and 2007, Nauert said, "Each reporting stint was about six weeks and required a lot of pre-preparation. I'll never forget the look my dad gave me when I told him I volunteered to spend Christmas in Iraq during a particularly unnerving time. To me, it was an honor and the least I could do."

While reporting on the conflicts, Nauert provided viewers with hourly or daily updates. She later said on Instagram, "At the time, this was the most significant story in the world, with every major news organization sending teams and more than 30 coalition partners (countries working together) sending troops."{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_rzedjFqn/?igsh=NWdzbzJudmZtNXhp |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.instagram.com}}{{primary-inline|date=December 2024}}

Nauert covered the 9/11 terror attacks from New York City while working as a correspondent for the Fox News Channel. Her account was documented in the book "At Ground Zero: 25 Stories from Young Reporters Who Were There."{{Cite book |last1=Erman |first1=Sam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x-xMzwEACAAJ |title=At Ground Zero: 25 Stories from Young Reporters Who Were There |last2=Bull |first2=Chris |date=2002-08-25 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=978-1-56025-427-0 |language=en}}

File:Heather Nauert Regional Media Day.png

On April 24, 2017, the United States Department of State announced that Nauert would be the new State Department spokesperson, her first role in government.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-fox-anchor-heather-nauert-is-new-state-department-spokeswoman-1493053087|title=Former Fox Anchor Heather Nauert Is New State Department Spokeswoman|last=Schwartz|first=Felicia|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=April 24, 2017}} She held her first press briefing in that role five weeks later, on June 6, 2017, and frequently appeared on TV.{{cite news|last1=Katz|first1=A.J.|title=Heather Nauert Gives First Briefing as State Department Spokesperson |url=http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/heather-nauert-gives-first-state-department-press-briefing/331540|work=AdWeek |date=June 6, 2017}}{{Cite web |date=2017-10-27 |title=Heather Nauert details the State Dept.'s biggest obstacles {{!}} Fox News Video |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/5626871208001 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}

Following the dismissal of Steve Goldstein on March 13, 2018, Nauert was named acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the fourth ranking position in the State Department.{{Cite news |last=Da Silva |first=Chantal |author-link=Chantal Da Silva |date=March 14, 2018 |title=The Trump administration has appointed former Fox News host Heather Nauert to a top State Department job |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-heather-nauert-former-fox-friends-host-trump-just-appointed-top-state-844923 |access-date=December 12, 2018}} In that role, she oversaw a budget of $1.2 billion and almost 1,000 employees. She was the Department's highest-ranking woman while simultaneously serving as Department Spokesperson.

File:Secretary Pompeo Chats With Acting Under Secretary Nauert (42038494634).jpg

During her time in the State Department, Nauert did not develop a close relationship with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, but after Tillerson's dismissal, she became part of Mike Pompeo's inner circle when he took over as Secretary of State.{{Cite news |date=August 20, 2018 |title=Pompeo's inner circle heavy on business, military experience |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/20/pompeo-state-inner-circle-789827 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-to-nominate-state-department-spokeswoman-heather-nauert-as-the-next-un-ambassador/2018/12/06/7a15563c-f9c2-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html|title=Trump to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as the next U.N. ambassador|date=2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 3, 2019}}

In these roles, Nauert communicated U.S. foreign policy and formulated the public messaging for the 75,000-person State Department and nearly 300 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. She helped plan, execute, and manage the messaging of all overseas trips led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

She also helped facilitate the messaging on top department initiatives, such as initiating the maximum pressure sanctions campaign against North Korea, holding China accountable for actions in the South China Sea, and combating state-sponsored disinformation from Russia, China, and Iran.{{Cite web |title=Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Vietnamese Leaders |url=https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1570165/secretary-pompeos-meeting-with-vietnamese-leaders/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=U.S. Indo-Pacific Command |language=en-US}}

File:Acting Under Secretary Nauert Works Behind-the-Scenes at the Singapore Summit (42039141894).jpg

In May 2018, Nauert was part of a small team who went with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on a secret mission to bring three Americans home from North Korea.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-11 |title=Traveling with Pompeo on secret mission to North Korea |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/traveling-with-pompeo-on-secret-mission-to-north-korea/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} She provided strategic counsel to Secretary Pompeo during his high-stakes meetings with North Korean officials, as they met to plan the landmark summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un, which took place in June 2018.

At the end of Secretary Pompeo's 13-hour meetings with North Korea officials, including an hour and a half meeting with Kim Jong Un, North Korea agreed to release three Americans who were wrongfully detained in a Pyongyang prison. As The Washington Post reported, this monumental decision "set the stage for a landmark summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un."{{Cite news |last1=Morello |first1=Carol |last2=Fifield |first2=Anna |last3=Nakamura |first3=David |date=2018-05-10 |title=North Korea frees 3 American prisoners ahead of a planned Trump-Kim summit |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pompeo-north-korea-can-haverichly-deserved-opportunities-in-return-for-peace/2018/05/09/b51febfa-51a4-11e8-b00a-17f9fda3859b_story.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

To ensure their safe return to the United States, President Trump announced the news as the Americans took off on a government plane from Pyongyang.{{Cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Zachary |last2=Berlinger |first2=Joshua |date=2018-05-09 |title=Three Americans held in North Korea released 'in good health' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/09/politics/donald-trump-north-korea-detainees/index.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}

File:Secretary Pompeo Addresses Staff Before Departing for Mexico City (43338274892).jpg

Nauert voiced opposition to the Iraqi Kurdistan's decision to hold an independence referendum in September 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/world/080620172|title=US says it understands 'legitimate aspirations' of people in Iraqi Kurdistan|date=June 9, 2017}}

When the United States withdrew from Unesco, Nauert was quoted by The New York Times as saying, "We were in arrears to the tune of $550 million or so, and so the question is, do we want to pay that money? With this anti-Israel bias that's long documented on the part of Unesco, that needs to come to an end."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/us/politics/trump-unesco-withdrawal.html |title=U.S. Will Withdraw From Unesco, Citing Its 'Anti-Israel Bias' |work=The New York Times |date=October 12, 2017}}

In April 2018, Nauert voiced support for Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. She also condemned "Iran's malign influence" in Yemen.{{cite news |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/trump-administration-condemns-houthi-missile-attack-on-riyadh-says-supports-saudi-arabias-right-to-defend-borders/1130159/ |title=Trump Administration condemns Houthi missile attack on Riyadh, says supports Saudi Arabia's right to defend borders |work=The Financial Express |date=April 12, 2018}} In May 2018, Nauert said in response to the Gaza border protests: "We oppose actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court (...) because it does not help the cause for peace."{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/US-opposes-PA-going-to-ICC-as-counterproductive-counter-to-peace-558126 |title=U.S. opposes PA going to ICC as counterproductive, counter to peace |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=May 23, 2018}}

Nauert called for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia such as Oleg Sentsov, Stanislav Klykh, Oleksandr Shumkov and Volodymyr Balukh.{{cite news|url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/06/283289.htm|title=Political and Religious Prisoners Held by the Russian Government|work=United States Department of State|date=June 18, 2018}} In a State Department statement, Nauert said: "The United States is deeply concerned by the growing number of individuals—now more than 150—identified by credible human rights organizations as political and religious prisoners held by the government of the Russian Federation.... We call on Russia to release all those identified as political or religious prisoners immediately and cease its use of the legal system to suppress dissent and peaceful religious practice. The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve equal treatment under the law and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution."{{Cite web |date=2018-06-19 |title=Statement By Heather Nauert – Political and Religious Prisoners Held by the Russian Government |url=https://ru.usembassy.gov/statement-by-heather-nauert-political-and-religious-prisoners-held-by-the-russian-government/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-03-15 |title=Crimea Is Ukraine. Press Statement by Heather Nauert. |url=https://ru.usembassy.gov/crimea-ukraine-press-statement-heather-nauert/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia |language=en-US}}

File:Spokesperson Nauert Participates in Press Conference in Bangladesh.jpg

Nauert condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, saying: "We will continue to hold those responsible accountable."{{cite news |title=Trump Names State Department's Spokesperson Nauert as UN Ambassador |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-names-state-department-spokesperson-heather-nauert-as-un-ambassador/4690981.html |work=VOA News |date=December 7, 2018}} In 2017, she joined Secretary Tillerson for meetings with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw. Soon after his visit, the State Department declared Myanmar's actions against the Rohingya as "ethnic cleansing."{{Cite web |last1=Westcott |first1=Ben |last2=Koran |first2=Laura |date=2017-11-22 |title=Tillerson: Myanmar clearly 'ethnic cleansing' the Rohingya |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/22/politics/tillerson-myanmar-ethnic-cleansing/index.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CNN |language=en}} In neighboring Bangladesh, Nauert toured Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp where she met with Rohingya refugees and aid groups.{{Cite web |date=2017-11-08 |title=Acting Assistant Secretary Simon Henshaw and Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert on Recent Visit to Burma and Bangladesh |url=https://geneva.usmission.gov/2017/11/08/acting-assistant-secretary-simon-henshaw-and-department-spokesperson-heather-nauert-on-recent-visit-to-burma-and-bangladesh/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva |language=en-US}} 

In August 2018, Canada called for the immediate release of Saudi human rights activist Raif Badawi and his sister, Samar Badawi. In response to Canada's criticism, Saudi Arabia expelled the Ambassador of Canada and froze trade with Canada, leading to a decline in Canada–Saudi Arabia relations.{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/08/05/saudi-arabia-to-expel-canadian-ambassador-and-freeze-trade-in-human-rights-dispute.html|title=Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador, freezes trade in human rights dispute|first=Jon |last=Gambrell|agency=Associated Press|work=Toronto Star|date=August 5, 2018}} Nauert said: "It is up for the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Canadians to work this out. Both sides need to diplomatically resolve this together. We cannot do it for them."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/11/canada-saudi-arabia-support-us|title='We don't have a single friend': Canada's Saudi spat reveals country is alone|work=The Guardian|date=August 11, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Kassam |first=Ashifa |date=2018-08-11 |title='We don't have a single friend': Canada's Saudi spat reveals country is alone |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/11/canada-saudi-arabia-support-us |access-date=2024-09-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Nauert criticized China's re-education camps and human rights violations against ethnic Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in China's north-western province of Xinjiang. She said that "credible reports indicate that individuals sent by Chinese authorities to detention centers since April 2017 number at least in the hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions."{{cite news |title=U.S. Weighs Sanctions Against Chinese Officials Over Muslim Detention Camps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/12/world/asia/commerce-sanctions-china-uighurs.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 10, 2018}}{{cite news |title=Uyghurs, Legal Experts Dismiss Chinese Legal Move to Justify Re-education Camps |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/camps-law-10112018192530.html |work=Radio Free Asia |date=October 11, 2018}}{{Cite web |last=Westcott |first=Ben |date=2018-09-12 |title=United States 'deeply troubled' by alleged Chinese crackdown in Xinjiang |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/12/asia/us-china-xinjiang-human-rights-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=CNN |language=en}}

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In February 2019, it was reported that she did not intend to return to work as State Department spokeswoman following her withdrawal from consideration as U.N. ambassador.

In her roles at the State Department, Nauert advocated for the Department to promote Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) as an important component of national security and international relations. In 2017, the State Department announced the delivery of the first LNG delivery to Poland.{{Cite web |title=First LNG Delivery to Poland |url=https://2017-2021.state.gov/first-lng-delivery-to-poland/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gramer |first=Robbie |date=2024-09-16 |title=First U.S. Natural Gas Shipped to Poland |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/08/first-u-s-natural-gas-shipped-to-poland/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}

In a State Department statement, Nauert said: "The United States welcomes the arrival of the first U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment to Central Europe, which arrived in Poland on June 7. U.S. LNG exports support American jobs, lower energy prices for our partners abroad, and contribute to Europe's energy security goals using a reliable, market based supplier."

Nauert said, "The Department of State has worked closely with European partners to diversify European energy supplies through new sources of natural gas, vital interconnectors and new facilities to import LNG. The United States congratulates Poland on this significant step to diversify its own sources of energy and to strengthen Europe's energy security."

Nauert continues to promote LNG as vital for American allies' national security.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

On December 7, 2018, Trump announced that he would nominate Nauert to be United States Ambassador to the United Nations.{{cite news|title=Trump to nominate Nauert as United Nations ambassador |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/414385-trump-picks-nauert-as-united-nations-ambassador|last=Chalfant|first=Morgan |work=The Hill|date=December 7, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2018}} He told reporters that Nauert was "excellent," adding, "She's been a supporter for a long time."{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/dc5f760ab97d4bf68839e41d907f01b8 |title=Trump expected to pick State spokeswoman for UN ambassador |last1=Lucey |first1=Catherine|last2=Lee|first2=Matthew|date=December 6, 2018|work=Associated Press|access-date=December 9, 2018 |last3=Miller|first3=Zeke}} News outlets noted that she had risen rapidly through the ranks of the State Department and that she had little official foreign policy experience, though in her time as a reporter she had covered numerous international conflicts and interviewed numerous foreign officials and world leaders. Politico wrote, "Less than two years ago, Heather Nauert was conducting interviews on 'Fox and Friends.' Now, she's preparing to navigate the world's raging geopolitical issues."{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2BKkvtE|title=The campaign to confirm a diplomatic novice to America's top U.N. post|last=Orr |first=Gabby|website=POLITICO|date=December 26, 2018 |language=en|access-date=December 26, 2018}} A Washington Post headline read, "Heather Nauert once cited D-Day in 'long history' of U.S.-German relations. Now she's headed to the U.N."

Despite Trump's announcement, he never nominated Nauert. In filling out paperwork for the appointment, she said that she had employed a nanny who, though she was in the country legally, lacked a proper work visa.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/politics/heather-nauert-withdraws-un-ambassador/index.html|title=Heather Nauert withdraws from consideration as UN ambassador|date=February 17, 2019|work=CNN|access-date=February 17, 2019}} Citing family considerations, Nauert withdrew her name from consideration on February 16, 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/16/us/politics/heather-nauert-withdraws-un-ambassador.html|title=Heather Nauert Withdraws From Consideration as U.N. Ambassador|first1=Annie|last1=Karni|first2=Maggie|last2=Haberman|newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 16, 2019}} Trump then nominated Ambassador Kelly Craft, who became the 30th United States Ambassador to the United Nations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49187622|title=Kelly Craft: Congress confirms UN ambassador pick|work=BBC News |date=August 1, 2019}}

In 2021, Nauert joined KBUL News Talk from the Quiet Waters Ranch, the Warriors in Quiet Waters' headquarters, for a radio interview, where she discussed her efforts supporting wounded warriors and those left behind in Afghanistan. They discussed the 20th anniversary of 9/11—Nauert was in NYC during the attacks—and what the organization is doing to support post-9/11 veterans, such as taking them fishing and ice fishing.{{Cite web |last=Flint |first=Aaron|date=2021-09-10 |title=Heather Nauert on Montana Talks from the Quiet Waters Ranch |url=https://kbulnewstalk.com/heather-nauert-on-montana-talks-from-the-quiet-waters-ranch/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=NewsTalk 95.5 |language=en}}

On March 29, 2019, President Trump appointed Nauert to serve as a member on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The 12-member board meets in Washington, D.C. and is responsible for supervising the Fulbright program.{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-11/ |title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts |date=March 29, 2019 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=April 4, 2019}}

In 2024, Heather Nauert traveled to Ukraine with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to see conditions on the ground as the country entered its third year of war following Russia's 2022 invasion. With other former government officials and media, she undertook a 1,300-mile road trip visiting bombed out hospitals and schools and speaking with civilians, aid organizations, military and government officials.{{Cite news |last=Boot |first=Max |date=2024-02-12 |title=Opinion {{!}} Speaker Johnson should see what I just saw in Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/02/12/ukraine-united-states-aid/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

On February 14, 2024, Nauert was interviewed by Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax, where she shared video clips and insights about her 1,300 mile trek through war-torn Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Ukraine's Military Says It Sank Russia Warship in Black Sea |url=https://vimeo.com/913846365 |website=The Record With Greta Van Susteren}} Nauert also spoke about her trip to war-torn Ukraine on the Vandenberg Coalition Podcast, Vandenberg Flash Focus.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-14 |title=Ep. 9 {{!}} On the Ground in Ukraine |url=https://vandenbergcoalition.org/captivate-podcast/ep-9-on-the-ground-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=vandenbergcoalition.org |language=en-US}}

As the debate for aid to war-torn Ukraine dragged on through U.S. Congress, Nauert authored several op-eds about the issues at stake:

• Op-ed published in the New York Post: "As Congress debates aid, Russia is 'kidnapping' Ukrainian kids."{{Cite web |last=Nauert |first=Heather |date=2024-04-20 |title=As Congress debates aid, Russia is 'kidnapping' Ukraine's kids |url=https://nypost.com/2024/04/20/opinion/as-congress-debates-aid-russia-is-kidnapping-ukraines-kids/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}}
• Op-ed published in The Hill: "America's enemies are sharpening their knives as Congress fights itself."{{Cite web |last=Nauert |first=Heather |date=2024-02-09 |title=America's enemies are sharpening their knives as Congress fights itself |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4454032-americas-enemies-are-sharpening-their-knives-as-congress-fights-itself/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}
• Op-ed published in The Hill, "On Ukraine aid, Republicans should follow the leader."{{Cite web |last=Nauert |first=Heather |date=2023-01-05 |title=On Ukraine aid, Republicans should follow the leader |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3800458-on-ukraine-aid-republicans-should-follow-the-leader/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

In an interview on Newsmax, Nauert said, "The United States and our partners need to give Ukraine the lethal aid that they are asking for."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyhIaSeNV4Y |title=Heather Nauert: Give Ukraine the lethal aid they're asking for |date=2022-03-24 |access-date=2024-09-14 |via=YouTube}}

In February 2024, she met with Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova. Nauert posted on Instagram about her trip: "Five days in Ukraine with Republican national security colleagues – showing our solid commitment to the Ukrainian people, despite squabbling in Washington. Thank you, President Sandu, for speaking so candidly with us."{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C3NGb1zt78a/?igsh=eXlrZTlnMzlmZ29k |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.instagram.com}}{{primary-inline|date=December 2024}}

In the spring of 2024, Nauert traveled to Hungary to speak at Ludovika University of Public Service about U.S. foreign policy. She joined officials from France, Poland, and Hungary–including Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's senior political team–for a debate.{{Cite web |title=Conference on the Transforming World Order and Adaptation Strategies Held at Ludovika University – Hungarian Conservative |date=April 25, 2024 |url=https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/conference_ludovika-university_-of-public-service_new_world-order_geopolitcs_defence_energy_security_us_elections/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}} 

She highlighted concerning policies as Hungary develops stronger ties with China and Russia. Nauert posted on LinkedIn, "I emphasized the importance of a strong and enduring NATO alliance, with partner countries committing at least 2% of GDP to defense spending. I expressed grave concern about Putin's war in Ukraine and his targeted killing of civilians and kidnapping of Ukrainian children. We also talked about China's attempt to gain influence in foreign countries and I cautioned that its real intent is to spy, steal intellectual property, technology and become the beneficiary of foreign nations' debt."{{Cite web |title=Heather Nauert on LinkedIn: #nato #hungary #poland #france #ludovikauniversity #foreignpolicy... |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/heather-nauert-a8849683_nato-hungary-poland-activity-7192243677975523328-DLUL/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}{{primary-inline|date=December 2024}}

In September 2022, Nauert reported on Hezbollah terror tunnels that the Israel Defense Forces discovered near Israel's border in Lebanon in a piece published in The New York Sun: "Inside a Terrorist Tunnel, Between Lebanon and Israel."{{Cite web |date=2022-09-23 |title=Inside a Terrorist Tunnel, Between Lebanon and Israel |url=https://www.nysun.com/article/inside-a-war-tunnel-between-lebanon-and-israel |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The New York Sun |language=en}}

Following the October 7th attacks in Israel, she wrote about the threat Iran and its proxies pose against Israel and America in a piece published in The New York Sun: "Let Kfar Aza Be One of the Places the World Remembers Forever."{{Cite web |date=2023-10-14 |title=Let Kfar Aza Be One of the Places the World Remembers Forever |url=https://www.nysun.com/article/let-kfar-aza-be-one-of-the-places-the-world-remembers-forever |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=The New York Sun |language=en}}

Nauert joined the Warner Brothers Discovery Journalism Advisory Group in 2021, a group of former journalists advising the company. In October 2022, Nauert was invited by Warner Brothers Discovery Networks to speak on a panel at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland. They discussed national security, the press, and polarization heading into the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections.{{Cite web |title=WSF 2022 Speakers |url=https://warsawsecurityforum.org/previous-editions/wsf-2022-archive/wsf-2022-speakers/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Warsaw Security Forum |language=en-US}}

While she was in Poland in February 2024, Nauert was interviewed by the Polish television station TVN. Expressing support for Ukraine, Nauert said, "I don't go on TV often but when I do – it's because the subject is something I'm passionate about – right now that's Ukraine and conveying my full support for equipping this democratic, freedom-loving country in its fight for survival against the evil Vladimir Putin. Ukrainians are willing to fight this alone and they are only asking NATO allies for military equipment and limited financial assistance to continue their mission to secure their borders and prevent Putin from invading others."{{Cite web |title=Tvn24 |url=https://tvn24.pl/go/Heather-Nauert |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}

She was also involved with Task Force Pineapple, working with a volunteer group of former military and government officials to help vetted Afghanistan allies make their way to safety as the U.S. government fled. Nauert told the Inlander, "I was personally horrified by the thought that we would leave behind people who had served alongside us."{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Daniel |title=How the Afghan subject of a 2021 Inlander cover story beat the odds and finally made it to the United States |url=https://www.inlander.com/news/how-the-afghan-subject-of-a-2021-inlander-cover-story-beat-the-odds-and-finally-made-it-to-the-united-states-24478212 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Inlander |language=en}}

Nauert lives in New York.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170531190430/https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/bureau/271443.htm "Nauert, Heather: Biography"]. U.S. Department of State.
• [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2014634/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm "Nauert, Heather: Biography on IMDb"]
• {{Twitter|HeatherNauert}}
• [https://www.c-span.org/person/?108237 Appearances on C-SPAN]

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Category:1970 births

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