Trump Breaches Protocol in Tweet About the Brits

Yet another unconventional move from the president-elect: On Monday night, Donald Trump tweeted that "many people" would like to see United Kingdom Independence Party leader Nigel Farage "represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States." "He would do a great job!" Trump added. The Guardian calls the suggestion "unprecedented" and notes that it puts British Prime Minister Theresa May, who belongs to the Conservative Party, in an awkward situation. Trump has repeatedly praised Farage and his role in the Brexit vote. Farage appeared with Trump at campaign rallies and was the first British politician to visit Trump Tower after the Republican's election victory.

The BBC—which calls the move an "extraordinary intervention" and a "breach of nearly every rule of diplomatic protocol"—reports that the British government rejected Trump's suggestion, saying there is "no vacancy." Farage says he is "flattered" by the suggestion. He says it came as a surprise and he will help the UK in any way that he can, reports the AP. There has been no comment yet from Sir Kim Darroch, who was appointed as Britain's ambassador to the US in January, though former UK ambassador to the US Christopher Meyer tweeted that Britain "can't have foreign presidents" choosing its diplomats. (More Donald Trump stories.)