Monica Crowley, a longtime conservative author, political commentator, and former Treasury Department official, has officially been confirmed as the assistant secretary of state and chief of protocol with the rank of ambassador. The Senate approved Crowley in a 52-45 vote, making her one of the latest high-profile figures connected to President Donald Trump’s administration and broader political movement to secure a major government role.
Crowley has spent many years working in both conservative media and public service. She became widely known through her role as a contributor on Fox News, where she frequently appeared as a political analyst and commentator on foreign affairs. Over time, she developed a strong presence among conservative audiences through regular appearances alongside Sean Hannity on “Hannity” and the earlier Fox News program “Hannity & Colmes,” which also featured the late Alan Colmes.
President Donald Trump originally announced Crowley’s nomination in December, praising her work during his first administration and highlighting what he described as her extensive experience in communications, diplomacy, media relations, and public affairs.
“I am honored to nominate Monica Elizabeth Crowley, Ph.D. to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States of America,” Trump said at the time of the announcement.
Trump also emphasized the important responsibilities Crowley is expected to handle in the coming years as the United States prepares to host several globally significant events. According to Trump, Crowley will help represent the administration during America’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The president praised Crowley’s previous work inside his administration, particularly her time serving as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs. During her service at the Treasury Department, Crowley received the Alexander Hamilton Award, which is widely considered the department’s highest honor and recognition for distinguished service.
Trump also pointed to Crowley’s academic achievements and long media career while discussing her qualifications for the diplomatic role. He noted that Crowley is a New York Times bestselling author and was among the original contributors who joined Fox News in 1996, the same year the network officially launched. Crowley graduated from Colgate University before earning two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in international relations from Columbia University.
Trump concluded his statement by describing Crowley as an “extraordinary representative” for the United States and expressed confidence that she would perform strongly on the international stage while helping oversee major diplomatic and ceremonial events.
Crowley’s confirmation arrives during a period when Republicans continue to show strength with voters on economic issues, according to several recent national polls. A new survey released by CNN indicated that many Americans still trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to handling the economy, despite months of criticism directed toward Trump’s economic policies and broader Republican financial agenda.
CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten expressed visible surprise while discussing the polling numbers during a recent on-air analysis segment. Enten explained that despite constant national conversations surrounding tariffs, stock market instability, inflation concerns, and fears of a possible recession promoted by Democrats and many media organizations, Republicans continue to maintain a noticeable advantage with voters on economic trust.
“The Republican Party is closest to your economic views,” Enten explained while breaking down the data.
He pointed out that Republicans previously held an 11-point lead on the issue in late 2023 and that the newest polling still showed the GOP ahead by roughly eight points. According to Enten, the numbers were striking because Democrats had expected economic concerns to weaken Republican support significantly over the past year.
“How is that possible after all the recession fears, after the stock market volatility, and after all the criticism over tariffs?” Enten asked during the segment. “And Republicans still hold an eight-point advantage on the economy.”
Enten later referenced additional polling conducted by Reuters and Ipsos, which reportedly showed Republicans performing even better on questions related to economic leadership and long-term economic planning.
According to the analyst, Republicans held a nine-point lead in May 2024 when voters were asked which political party had a stronger economic plan for the future. By May 2025, that lead had reportedly grown to 12 points, suggesting that Republican messaging on the economy continued to resonate with a large portion of voters.
Enten argued that the polling numbers reveal a deeper political challenge for Democrats, especially after a year dominated by intense national debates surrounding inflation, tariffs, consumer prices, and economic uncertainty.
“Despite all of that, Democrats are still down by double digits on the economy,” Enten said. “That tells you just how significant the Democratic Party’s problem is on this issue.”
He concluded by explaining that while Trump’s personal approval ratings may rise and fall depending on current events, Republicans remain politically competitive because voters consistently continue to give the GOP stronger marks on economic policy compared to Democrats.
According to Enten, as long as Republicans continue holding a clear advantage on economic issues — whether in CNN polling, Reuters/Ipsos surveys, or other national studies — the party is likely to remain highly competitive in future national elections and major political contests across the country.
