Heather Nauert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heather Nauert
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Official portrait, 2017
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| 27th Spokesperson for the United States Department of State | |
| In office April 24, 2017 – April 3, 2019 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | John Kirby |
| Succeeded by | Morgan Ortagus |
| Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs | |
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Acting
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| In office March 13, 2018 – October 10, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Steve Goldstein |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Giuda (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Heather Ann Nauert
January 27, 1970 Rockford, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Scott Norby
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Pine Manor College Arizona State University Mount Vernon Seminary and College (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
Heather Anne Nauert, born on January 27, 1970, is an American journalist who used to work for the government. She was the main spokesperson for the United States Department of State during Donald Trump's time as president, from 2017 to 2019. She also briefly held another important role, helping with public communication for the State Department.
Before working for the government, Heather Nauert was a journalist for almost 20 years. She was a news anchor and reporter for TV channels like Fox News and ABC News.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Heather Nauert grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and spent a lot of her childhood in Wisconsin. Her father, Peter Nauert, worked as an executive in the insurance business. She has three brothers named Justin, Jonathan, and Joseph.
Nauert went to Keith Country Day School in Rockford, Illinois. She later moved to Washington, D.C., for an internship where she hosted a country music video show. She stayed there to finish her studies, earning a degree in communications from Mount Vernon College for Women. She then earned a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Career in Journalism
Before joining the government, Heather Nauert spent nearly 20 years as a news anchor and reporter. She worked for Fox News and ABC News. During this time, she covered major events like the September 11 terror attacks, the Iraq War, and the terrible events in Darfur, Sudan.
Nauert reported on four U.S. presidential elections. She also covered the 2008 financial crisis and terrorist attacks in places like Boston and Orlando.
She started at Fox News in 1998 and later became a co-anchor for The Big Story. From 2005 to 2007, she worked for ABC News, reporting for shows like ABC World News Tonight and Good Morning America. While at ABC, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her story about teenage girls in Iraq.
In 2007, Nauert returned to Fox News. She also co-anchored local news shows in New York City. By 2012, she rejoined Fox News Channel full-time as an anchor and breaking news reporter, often appearing on Fox & Friends.
Reporting from Iraq
As a reporter for Fox News and ABC News, Nauert traveled to cities in Iraq like Baghdad and Fallujah. She covered the start of the Iraq War, the fighting that followed, and efforts to rebuild the country. She also reported on Saddam Hussein's trial and death, the first free election, and the daily lives of Iraqi people.
Nauert said that covering the war was an honor. She provided updates to viewers almost every hour or day. She mentioned that this was the most important story in the world at the time, with many news organizations and countries involved.
Covering the September 11 Attacks
Heather Nauert covered the 9/11 terror attacks from New York City. She was working as a reporter for the Fox News Channel at the time. Her experiences were written about in a book called "At Ground Zero: 25 Stories from Young Reporters Who Were There."
Government Service
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On April 24, 2017, Heather Nauert was announced as the new spokesperson for the United States Department of State. This was her first job in government. She held her first press conference five weeks later, on June 6, 2017, and often appeared on TV.
In March 2018, Nauert was also named the acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. This was the fourth highest position in the State Department. In this role, she managed a large budget and nearly 1,000 employees. She was the highest-ranking woman in the department while also serving as its spokesperson.
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During her time at the State Department, Nauert worked closely with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. She helped share U.S. foreign policy and managed public messages for the entire State Department, which has 75,000 people and nearly 300 U.S. embassies around the world. She also helped plan and manage the messages for all of Secretary Pompeo's trips overseas.
She helped with important department projects, such as putting strong sanctions on North Korea. She also worked to hold China responsible for its actions in the South China Sea and to fight against false information from Russia, China, and Iran.
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In May 2018, Nauert was part of a small team that went with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on a secret trip to North Korea. Their goal was to bring three Americans home who had been held there. She gave important advice to Secretary Pompeo during his meetings with North Korean officials. These meetings helped plan the important meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un in June 2018.
After Secretary Pompeo's meetings, North Korea agreed to release the three Americans. President Trump announced the news as the Americans were flying home to make sure they returned safely.
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Nauert spoke out against the decision by Iraqi Kurdistan to hold an independence vote in September 2017. When the United States left Unesco, Nauert said it was because of the organization's long-standing bias against Israel.
In April 2018, Nauert supported the actions of Saudi Arabia in Yemen and criticized "Iran's bad influence" there. In May 2018, she said that the U.S. was against actions taken against Israel at the International Criminal Court, believing it would not help peace.
Nauert also called for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia. She stated that the U.S. was worried about the increasing number of people identified as political or religious prisoners in Russia.
Nauert condemned the terrible events against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. She said that those responsible would be held accountable. She visited a large refugee camp in Bangladesh to meet with Rohingya refugees and aid groups.
In August 2018, when Canada asked for the release of Saudi human rights activists, Saudi Arabia reacted strongly. Nauert said that Saudi Arabia and Canada needed to solve their disagreement diplomatically.
Nauert also criticized China's re-education camps and human rights violations against ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang. She said that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of people had been sent to detention centers there.
In February 2019, it was reported that she would not return to her role as State Department spokesperson. This was after she withdrew her name from consideration to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Energy Independence
While at the State Department, Nauert supported promoting Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). She believed it was important for national security and international relations. In 2017, the State Department announced the first LNG delivery to Poland.
Nauert stated that U.S. LNG exports create American jobs and help lower energy prices for other countries. She also said it helps Europe's energy security by providing a reliable energy source.
Proposed Role at the United Nations
On December 7, 2018, President Trump announced his plan to nominate Nauert to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. News outlets noted that she had quickly moved up in the State Department. They also mentioned she had limited official foreign policy experience, even though she had covered many international conflicts as a reporter.
However, President Trump never officially nominated Nauert. When filling out paperwork for the job, she mentioned that she had employed a nanny who was in the country legally but did not have the correct work visa. Because of family reasons, Nauert withdrew her name from consideration on February 16, 2019.
Later Work and Activities
After leaving her government roles, Nauert joined several groups focused on national security and international relations. In 2019, President Trump appointed her to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.
Nauert is on the Board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, which supports strong U.S. foreign policy. In 2023, she joined their Conservative Foreign Policy Study Group.
In 2020, Nauert joined the Board of Advisors for the Center for New American Security. This group does research and develops defense and national security policies. She also worked as a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank, until 2021.
Nauert also advises companies, think tanks, and foundations. She helps leaders with their communication strategies and media campaigns. Since 2021, she has been on the National Advisory Board of Warriors in Quiet Waters, a group that helps combat veterans.
Nauert works as a consultant for companies and non-profit groups. In 2023, she joined the Federal Advisory Board of Armis, a cybersecurity company. She also provides analysis for the British TV network, ITV News.
Supporting Veterans
In 2021, Nauert spoke on a radio interview about her work supporting wounded veterans and those left behind in Afghanistan. She discussed the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and how the Warriors in Quiet Waters organization helps post-9/11 veterans through activities like fishing.
Fulbright Scholarship Board
On March 29, 2019, President Trump appointed Nauert to be a member of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. This 12-member board oversees the Fulbright program, which helps people study and exchange ideas internationally.
International Relations Focus
Ukraine
In 2024, Heather Nauert traveled to Ukraine with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. She wanted to see the conditions there as the country entered its third year of war after Russia's 2022 invasion. With other former government officials, she traveled over 1,300 miles, visiting damaged hospitals and schools. She spoke with civilians, aid groups, and government officials.
Nauert shared her experiences from Ukraine in interviews and wrote several articles. She emphasized the importance of the United States and its partners providing Ukraine with the military aid they need. In February 2024, she also met with Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova.
Hungary
In the spring of 2024, Nauert visited Hungary to speak at Ludovika University of Public Service about U.S. foreign policy. She discussed the importance of a strong NATO alliance and expressed concern about Russia's war in Ukraine. She also warned about China's attempts to gain influence in other countries.
Israel
In September 2022, Nauert reported on Hezbollah terror tunnels found near Israel's border with Lebanon. After the October 7th attacks in Israel, she wrote about the threat that Iran and its allies pose to Israel and America.
Poland
In October 2022, Nauert was invited to speak on a panel at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland. She discussed national security, the press, and political divisions in the U.S. In February 2024, she was interviewed by a Polish TV station, expressing her strong support for Ukraine. She said that Ukrainians are willing to fight for their freedom and only ask NATO allies for military equipment and financial help.
Afghanistan
Nauert was involved with Task Force Pineapple, a volunteer group of former military and government officials. They helped Afghan allies who had worked with the U.S. government find safety after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. Nauert said she was very upset by the idea of leaving behind people who had served alongside Americans.
Personal Life
Heather Nauert lives in New York.
See also
In Spanish: Heather Nauert para niños
