President Trump plans to nominate Richard Grenell to be the U.S. ambassador to Germany, the White House announced Friday evening.

Grenell, who has served as a Fox News contributor, is the longest-serving U.S. spokesman at the United Nations, serving during the George W. Bush administration from 2001 to 2008.

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Reports in July indicated Trump had picked the foreign policy commentator as his diplomat to the NATO ally. It is believed Grenell would be the first openly gay appointee of Trump's administration if confirmed.

Germany has been the focus of some of Trump's past criticism, with the president scolding the country for not meeting NATO's target for defense spending.