US Senate confirms Matt Whitaker as Trump's pick for ambassador to NATO

The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee Matt Whitaker to be the US ambassador to NATO, at a time of growing concern about Washington’s commitment to the defence alliance.

Having served in the Justice Department during Trump's first administration, Whitaker comes to the role with a background in law enforcement rather than foreign policy or national security.

He was confirmed along party lines by a 52-45 vote.

During his confirmation hearing, Whitaker assured senators that the Trump administration’s commitment to NATO was "ironclad".

However, Trump has long been sceptical and even hostile towards NATO, which was formed by the US and other countries in the aftermath of World War II as a deterrent to potential aggression from the then Soviet Union.

The future of the US' role in the alliance has been called into question by Trump's sharp criticism of European allies and his apparent eagerness to strengthen his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump has pushed other countries to contribute a greater share of their budgets to their the own defence instead of "relying" on the US.

Whitaker served as chief of staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions during Trump's first term. He was chosen to become acting attorney general when Sessions was fired after recusing himself from the department's investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 election.

He had been considered for the top job in the Justice Department with the president's return to the White House, but was ultimately tapped for the NATO ambassadorship instead.

In nominating him, Trump said in a statement that Whitaker was "a strong warrior and loyal patriot" who "will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended".