Nikki Haley Unveils New Position Following Presidential Bid Withdrawal

Nikki Haley may no longer be a candidate for president, but her new position indicates that she is not leaving politics just yet.

Just a few weeks after stepping out of the 2024 presidential race, the former South Carolina governor has announced that she will become the Walter P. Stern Chair at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. Haley is the fourth member of former President Donald Trump’s administration to join the Hudson Institute. She served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, where she received the Hudson Institute’s global leadership award, before becoming his final Republican primary opponent.

After she suspended her candidacy, speculations circulated that Haley was still a contender for Trump’s vice presidential pick, but the pair’s bitter feuds on the campaign trail — as well as the fact that he had yet to contact her as of late last month — make that unlikely.

It is unknown what Haley’s specific responsibilities will be for the Hudson Institute, or whether the position is full-time and salaried. However, the group is well-known for its emphasis on defense and international policy, two issues Haley emphasized throughout her presidential campaign.

She frequently emphasized the importance of international ties with Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, whereas Trump promoted an “America first” strategy. In a statement released by the Hudson Institute, Haley appeared to highlight this distinction in her new post.

“When our policymakers fail to name our opponents or recognize the value of our partnerships, the globe becomes less safe. “That is why Hudson’s work is so important,” Haley explained. “They believe the American people should have the facts and policymakers should have the solutions to support a secure, free and prosperous future.”

In its statement, the Hudson Institute praised Haley’s concentration on their key areas of interest, describing her as a “proven, effective” leader in both foreign and domestic policy.

“In an era of worldwide political upheaval, she has remained a steadfast defender of freedom and an effective advocate for American security and prosperity,” Hudson President and CEO John P. Walters said.

Sarah May Stern, the Institute’s board of trustees chair and Walter P. Stern’s daughter said it’s “fitting” that Haley will take on the title in her father’s name, as he was known for playing a key role in building the organization to its current status as a well-known political body. ”

[Haley] is a courageous and insightful policymaker and these qualities are vital in making Hudson the powerhouse policy organization it is today, and I am extremely proud that she has joined the Institute,” Sarah May Stern, the Institute’s executive director, stated.

Other famous Hudson Institute members include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and former Trump administration Attorney General William Barr. Former Vice President Dan Quayle and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were also members of the organization.