What's It Like to Work for Ambassador Ric Grenell?
Germany's Der Spiegel magazine did an in-depth report recently on U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell, titled, "Isolated in Berlin." It turned up the following:
"Almost all of these sources paint an unflattering portrait of the ambassador, one remarkably similar to Donald Trump, the man who sent him to Berlin. A majority of them describe Grenell as a vain, narcissistic person who dishes out aggressively, but can barely handle criticism. His brash demeanor, some claim, hides a deep insecurity, and they say he thirsts for the approval of others. After one of his appearances, we were told, he asked almost shyly how he had done.
"They also say Grenell knows little about Germany and Europe, that he ignores most of the dossiers his colleagues at the embassy write for him, and that his knowledge of the subject matter is superficial. "Ric only scratches the surface," said one person who regularly interacts with him.
"
As Jack Benny said, Well!
(For you post-boomers, I don't know a contemporary equivalent.😕)
Anyway...
I'm working on an article on the latest Trumpscapades regarding the president's ongoing war against the U.S. intelligence community. Now that he is to be acting DNI, a key area I wish to cover is: What kind of boss is Ric? How is it to work under him? Has Der Spiegel got it right, or is poor Ric merely a misunderstood Trumpista with good intentions, but a flawed personality?
If you've had interactions with Ambassador Grenell you'd like to share, please drop me a line at: angkor456000 at yahoo dot com. If you prefer an encrypted channel, I can provide that as well. Your identity will be zealously protected - or as they say in Germany, Unter Schloss und Riegel.