Nikki Haley was elected governor of South Carolina in 2010, becoming both the first female and Indian-American to fill the role. In 2016, president-elect Donald Trump picked Haley to become the United States ambassador to the United Nations.
Nikki R. Haley, of South Carolina, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations.
Επί μισό αιώνα ήταν σύμβολο τιμής στους νεκρούς του αμερικανικού εμφυλίου, ωστόσο το στρατόπεδο που χαρακτηρίζει σύμβολο του μίσους τη σημαία του «νότου», τελικά επικράτησε.
Σε συνεδρίαση φορτισμένη μέχρι δακρύων, που έληξε την αυγή, 94 βουλευτές της Νότιας Καρολίνας, έναντι 20, ενέκριναν την αφαίρεση της σημαίας που κυματίζει επί μισό αιώνα στους κήπους του Κοινοβουλίου στην Κολούμπια. Ο νόμος παραδόθηκε στην κυβερνήτη της αμερικανικής πολιτείας Νίκι Χάλεϊ και η υποστολή της σημαίας αποτελεί τετελεσμένο.
Σύμφωνα με αμερικανικά δίκτυα όπως το Cbs, μετά τη σημαία της Συνομοσπονδίας, σειρά για αποκαθήλωση έχουν αγάλματα στρατηγών του εμφυλίου, αλλά και μασκότ στα αμερικανικά σχολεία του νότου,με την Αλαμπάμα να το έχει ήδη πράξει. Οχι μόνον στον αμερικανικό νότο αλλά μέχρι και στην Αλάσκα, λαμβάνονται ανάλογες αποφάσεις, σύμφωνα με το Cbs.
State of the Union Response
The Republican Party selected Haley to deliver the GOP response following President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address on January 12, 2016. While Haley recognized Obama's historic presidency as the first African-American to be elected, she criticized his record. "Barack Obama's election as president seven years ago broke historic barriers and inspired millions of Americans," she said. "As he did when he first ran for office, tonight President Obama spoke eloquently about grand things. He is at his best when he does that. Unfortunately, the President's record has often fallen far short of his soaring words."
She also spoke to members of her own party to reflect on their role in the nation's struggles. "We need to be honest with each other, and with ourselves: while Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone. There is more than enough blame to go around,” she said. “We as Republicans need to own that truth. We need to recognize our contributions to the erosion of the public trust in America's leadership. We need to accept that we've played a role in how and why our government is broken.”
Haley also recalled her experience as an Indian American growing up in the rural South, and called for tolerance and inclusiveness of all Americans."Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory,” she said. “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.”
While the governor did not mention any Republican presidential candidates by name, her statement was perceived as a critique of some candidates' rhetoric about Muslims and immigrants. She added: “Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That is just not true. Often, the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter, you can actually hear what someone else is saying. And that can make a world of difference.”
Following her response, press outlets reported that Haley was on the GOP short list as a possible vice presidential running mate for the party's nominee Donald Trump, however, he chose Indiana governor Mike Pence for the position. During the presidential race, Haley had not been a loyal supporter of Trump, initially campaigning for Marco Rubio and then endorsing Ted Cruz. Haley also criticized Trump for not immediately disavowing the Ku Klux Klan's support of him and for his proposed Muslim ban. Trump responded to Haley's criticism with his own critiques of her, including calling her "weak on immigration" and tweeting in March 2016: "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!"
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
By the end of the contentious campaign, Haley did vote for Trump in the election and celebrated his victory. "The idea that now we can start to really govern — I have never known what it's like to have a Republican president," she said at a gathering of Republican leaders after the election. "I can tell you that the last five years, Washington has been the hardest part of my job. This is a new day."
On November 22, 2016, president-elect Donald Trump picked Haley to become the United States ambassador to the United Nations. She was the first woman to be named as part of his administration. “Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” Trump said in a statement. “She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”
In accepting the offer, Haley said that she is “honored that the President-elect has asked me to join his team and serve the country we love.’’
"When the President believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation's standing in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed," she said.
Haley will continue to serve as the governor of South Carolina until the Senate confirms her nomination.