Matthew G. Whitaker assumed his role as the Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO on April 3, 2025.

Before this appointment, he built a distinguished career in private practice and public service.

Ambassador Whitaker previously served as Acting Attorney General of the United States from 2018 to 2019, following his tenure as Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Earlier, he was appointed by President George W. Bush as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, serving from 2004 to 2009.

In private practice, Whitaker was the managing partner of Whitaker Hagenow & Gustoff, LLP, a Des Moines-based law firm, from 2009 until he rejoined the U.S. Department of Justice in 2017. He most recently served as a Senior Fellow at the American Cornerstone Institute, Co-Chair of the Center for Law and Justice at the America First Policy Institute, a Senior Fellow at the American Conservative Union Foundation, and was Of Counsel with the Graves Garrett Greim law firm.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Whitaker earned a Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor, and Bachelor of Arts. During his time at Iowa, he was a three-year letterman on the football team, contributing to a Big Ten Championship and playing in the 1991 Rose Bowl. He was also awarded the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor for his academic and athletic achievements.