Matthew Whitaker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matt Whitaker
Official portrait, 2025
26th United States Ambassador to NATO
Incumbent
Assumed office April 3, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Julianne Smith
United States Attorney General
Acting
In office November 7, 2018 – February 14, 2019
President	Donald Trump
Deputy	Rod Rosenstein
Preceded by	Rod Rosenstein (acting)
Succeeded by	William Barr
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa
In office June 15, 2004 – November 25, 2009
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Stephen O'Meara
Succeeded by	Nicholas A. Klinefeldt
Personal details
Born	Matthew George Whitaker (1969-10-29) October 29, 1969 (age 55) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	3
Education	University of Iowa (BA, MBA, JD)

Matthew George Whitaker (born October 29, 1969) is an American lawyer and politician. He is currently serving as the United States ambassador to NATO for President Donald Trump's second term. An ambassador is a person who represents their country in another country or at an international organization like NATO.

A member of the Republican Party, Whitaker has held several important government jobs. He was the acting United States Attorney General from 2018 to 2019. Before that, he was the Chief of Staff for Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Early in his career, Whitaker was a talented football player. He played tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team and even played in the famous 1991 Rose Bowl.

Early Life and School Years

Matthew George Whitaker was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He was a football star at Ankeny High School and was later added to the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

After high school, Whitaker went to the University of Iowa. He earned three degrees: a bachelor's degree in communications, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a law degree called a Juris Doctor (JD).

College Football Career

While studying at the University of Iowa, Whitaker played football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1990 to 1992. He was a tight end and played in 33 games, including two major bowl games. One of these was the 1991 Rose Bowl.

He was also a great student. In 1993, he won the Big Ten Medal of Honor, an award given to top student-athletes. He finished college in just three and a half years and played his final football season while he was already in law school.

Career in Law and Politics

After finishing law school, Whitaker worked for different law firms and companies. He also ran for Treasurer of Iowa in 2002 as a Republican but did not win.

U.S. Attorney for Southern Iowa

Whitaker's official photo as a U.S. Attorney.

In 2004, President George W. Bush appointed Whitaker to be the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. A U.S. Attorney is a top lawyer who represents the government in court.

In this role, Whitaker was known for being tough on crime. ..... He served in this position until 2009.

Work in the Private Sector

Between 2009 and 2017, Whitaker worked at a law firm in Des Moines. He also started a consulting firm. In 2014, he ran for a seat in the United States Senate but did not win the Republican primary election.

From 2014 to 2017, Whitaker was on the advisory board of a company called World Patent Marketing. The company was later investigated by the government and found to have been dishonest with its customers. A spokesperson for Whitaker said he did not know about the company's bad actions.

Whitaker also led a nonprofit group called the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT). The group focused on ethics in politics and often called for investigations into Democratic politicians.

Working in the Trump Administration

In 2017, Whitaker joined the Department of Justice as the Chief of Staff for Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Chief of Staff helps manage the department and advises the Attorney General.

Acting Attorney General

Whitaker (center) with other government officials announcing charges against the company Huawei.

In November 2018, President Trump appointed Whitaker as the acting Attorney General after Jeff Sessions resigned. This meant he was in charge of the entire Department of Justice until a permanent replacement was chosen.

As acting Attorney General, Whitaker oversaw all of the department's work. This included the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Some people questioned if his appointment was legal because he had not been confirmed by the Senate for the role. However, the Department of Justice said the temporary appointment was allowed.

During his time in charge, Whitaker signed a rule that made bump stocks illegal. A bump stock is a device that makes a rifle fire faster. He also helped put the First Step Act into action, a law aimed at reforming the prison system. He left the position in February 2019 when William Barr was confirmed as the new Attorney General.

Ambassador to NATO

On November 20, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate Whitaker to be the U.S. ambassador to NATO. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a group of countries that agree to protect each other.

The Senate confirmed his nomination on April 1, 2025. He was officially sworn in as the ambassador two days later.

Political Views

Whitaker has shared his views on many legal and political topics.

• The Courts: During his 2014 Senate campaign, he said that courts should be the "inferior branch" of government. He also questioned a famous Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison, which established that courts can decide if laws are constitutional.
• Judges: He also said that judges should have a "biblical view of justice." Some groups felt this suggested that non-Christian judges were not qualified, which would go against the U.S. Constitution.
• Special Counsel Investigation: Before joining the Justice Department, Whitaker was a contributor on CNN. He often criticized the Special Counsel investigation into President Trump, calling it "political."

Election History

2002 Iowa State Treasurer

2014 U.S. Senator for Iowa

See also

In Spanish: Matthew Whitaker para niños

• Timeline of investigations into Trump and Russia (July–December 2018)