The appointment of Ed Miliband as the UK's foreign secretary has raised concerns among some officials in the Trump administration, with one former strategist warning that it could damage the special relationship between the two countries.
According to sources, the Trump administration had previously warned Miliband's team against giving him a senior role, viewing his appointment as "very injurious" to the special relationship. Miliband has a history of criticizing Trump, describing him as a "racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper" during his presidential campaign.
As energy secretary, Miliband has also been a vocal advocate for the Labour government's net-zero agenda and opposition to issuing new licenses for North Sea oil and gas exploration. This stance is in direct contrast to the Trump administration's push for Britain to increase domestic fossil-fuel production.
Nile Gardiner, a former foreign-policy aide to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has described Miliband's appointment as a "disastrous" decision that will create significant tensions between the US and British governments.
Miliband has sought to downplay the differences, pledging to nurture Britain's alliance with the US while deepening its strategic relationship with the EU. However, some British Jewish and pro-Israel commentators have raised concerns about his record as Labour leader, including changes to party leadership rules that preceded Jeremy Corbyn's rise.
Conservative MP Priti Patel has also criticized Burnham and Miliband over plans to proceed with the Chagos Islands agreement, arguing that it will transfer British territory and cost taxpayers £35 billion.
Despite these concerns, President Trump has spoken positively about Burnham, saying that he had a "very good" conversation with him shortly after he took office. The two leaders plan to meet in the near future to discuss issues of mutual interest.
