Former Massachusetts Representative Joe Kennedy III will become President Biden’s special envoy to Northern Ireland, becoming the third member of the Kennedy clan to join the president’s diplomatic corps.
The 42-year-old grandson of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy served four terms in Congress, but left electoral politics in 2021 after losing a bruising Senate primary to incumbent Sen. Ed Markey — and suffering widespread ridicule for appearing to drool during a much-publicized national speech opposing then-President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address.
As envoy, Kennedy will focus on pressing economic concerns as the Brexit-induced standoff over Northern Ireland continues to strain relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
An administration insider told the Wall Street Journal, “He will place a heavy emphasis on strengthening US economic participation and people-to-people ties.”
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, is Biden’s ambassador to Australia, whilst Victoria Kennedy, widow of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, is US ambassador to Austria.
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. served as United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938 to 1940 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The position of Northern Ireland ambassador has been vacant since January 2021, when former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney departed from President Trump’s administration.
»Biden will appoint Joe Kennedy III as Northern Ireland’s economic ambassador«