President-elect Donald Trump has named Richard Grenell as an envoy for special missions primarily involving foreign policy challenges, a newly created position that will not require Senate confirmation, the Associated Press reports. Grenell, who is gay, served as the ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence during Trumps first term.Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,Trump wrote in a Saturday social media post announcing Grenells appointment. Trump has traded insults with Venezuelas president after implementing economic sanctions against the country, and while Trump had a bromance with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, their relationship could change amid rising tensions in Asia. Related Gay Trump official Richard Grenell linked to group behind antisemitic ad campaign The ads seem pro-Jewish and pro-Israel until you find out where theyre airing. Grenell reportedly wanted the position of secretary of state in Trumps Cabinet, and right-wing influencers may have even been bribed to endorse him for the spot (something Grenell denies). However, sources toldPoliticothat Grenells business dealings in foreign countries and reputation as a prickly and less than diplomatic demeanor may have sunk his chances of getting the secretary of state job. Instead, Trump nominated Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for the position. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Now, Grenell will serve as a diplomatic ambassador to at least two nations that Trump and the United States has historically had strained relationships with. During Trumps first presidency, he issued harsh financial sanctionsagainst Venezuelan oil, reportedly in an attempt to oust Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro. Maduro is an oppressive leader who the U.S government accused of stealing his countrys recent elections. Trumps sanctions are believed to have mostly hurt Venezuelan residents (not Maduro) and increased emigration from the country.Trump has previously referred to Maduro asa Cuban puppet and a tyrant, and Maduro has previously called Trump a miserable racist cowboys, a mentally ill crook who handles foreign affairs like a New York mafia extortionist. However, Maduro called Trumps re-election a new start, and Trump may need to strike a deal with him if he would like Venezuelas help with potentially lowering gasoline prices and accepting Venezuelans mass deported from the U.S. back to their native country. During Trumps first term, he ended a longstanding U.S. foreign policy of isolation North Korea in hopes of ending its nuclear program. Trump famously held a historic summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jung Un in June 2018. During their meeting,Trump didnt say anything about the countrys human rights abuses, including the fact that U.S. student Otto Warmbier died a few days after he was released him from 17 months in a North Korean prison in 2017. Since the summit occurred, North Korea has only continued launching missiles near its Asian neighbors and currently has an estimated 50 nuclear weapons (having had 10 to 20 in 2018), according to the Arms Control Association. North Korea now also has increased strategic, financial, and ideological support from Russia and China that collectively challenge U.S. influence in Asia, making U.S.-allied South Korea and Japan a bit nervous.Its unclear what position Trump will take towards both countries, and its also unclear how Grenells role will work with Rubios. But regardless, Trumps actions will have long-reaching implications for the future of U.S. diplomacy abroad amid declining American influence Richard Grenell is a converted Trump loyalistGrenell deleted social media posts criticizing Trump as reckless and dangerous after Trump became the Republican presidential nominee in 2016. Grenell has since become one of Trumps biggest supporters.Although Grenell claimed in August 2020 that President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history, nothing backs up that claim. During his time in the Trump administration, Grenell said he worked with Trump ona campaign to end the criminalization of homosexualityaround the world, but the campaign seemingly accomplished nothing. Around the same time, Trump officials said it wouldviolate religious freedomto pressure countries to repeal their anti-LGBTQ+ laws.Since Trumps re-election loss in 2020, Grenell has repeated Trumps lie that the election was stolen due to an unprecedented nationwide conspiracy of voter fraud that only occurred in the states that Trump lost. He has also opposed the Equality Act legislation that would provide federal LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections claiming it would be an attack on religion.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.