Scoop: White House pulls Joel Rayburn's nomination for top State job

The White House has withdrawn Joel Rayburn's nomination for Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Rayburn faced controversy over accusations of concealing U.S. troop levels in Syria from President Trump. He previously served as Trump's special envoy for Syria and worked on Middle East issues on the National Security Council. Trump initially nominated him in February, but the nomination stalled in the Senate. Senator Rand Paul opposed Rayburn's nomination due to concerns raised by Paul. Rayburn faced tough questions from Paul during a Senate confirmation hearing in May. Paul's opposition complicated Rayburn's path to confirmation in the full Senate. The Senate committee advanced Rayburn's nomination despite Paul's opposition. The White House ultimately withdrew the nomination on Monday.