U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn the nomination of Joel Rayburn, his former envoy for Syria, to serve as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, according to two sources familiar with the decision. Rayburn, who played a prominent role in Middle East policy during Trump’s first term, was nominated in February to oversee U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing in May, but Rayburn’s nomination faced opposition from both sides of the aisle. Republican Senator Rand Paul and committee Democrats reportedly raised concerns about Rayburn’s record and his role in Trump’s Syria policy. Last week, the committee took the rare step of advancing his nomination without formally recommending it to the full Senate—a signal that he lacked sufficient support for confirmation.
Sources said the administration decided to withdraw the nomination after determining that Rayburn did not have the votes needed to move forward. The White House has not yet issued an official statement, and Axios was the first to report the withdrawal.
During his confirmation hearing, senators questioned Rayburn about allegations that U.S. officials had been misled regarding the number of American troops stationed in Syria during Trump’s presidency. Rayburn firmly denied any involvement in such actions, stating he played no part in misleading officials or the public.
Rayburn previously served in senior positions at the State Department and the National Security Council, where he was a key figure in shaping Trump’s Middle East strategy. The withdrawal of his nomination marks another setback in the administration’s efforts to fill senior diplomatic roles as it continues to redefine U.S. policy in the region.