Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said on his Truth Social media platform on Saturday, without further describing the duties.

A combative loyalist and the president-elect’s former ambassador to Germany, Mr. Grenell had hoped to be secretary of state.

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Richard Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions. NBC News’ Vaungh Hillyard reports on the career of the former acting director of national intelligence.