Adam Boehler, who was President Donald Trump's choice for the U.S. envoy for hostage issues, will no longer be nominated for that position. 

However, according to the White House, he will continue working on hostage negotiations as a special government employee.

This change comes after Israeli officials expressed anger over Boehler's recent meeting with Hamas, where they discussed the fate of U.S. captives held by the group. 

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “Adam Boehler will continue to serve President Trump as a special government employee focused on hostage negotiations. He will keep working to bring wrongfully detained people home.”

Boehler’s meeting happened in Doha, as the U.S. was trying to secure the release of hostages taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. 

This was a sensitive time, as Israel and Hamas were questioning whether to extend a ceasefire that had just ended.

Israeli leaders warned that they would start fighting again if the remaining hostages were not released.

Officials, like Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, were worried that the U.S. might focus on getting American hostages out while leaving Israeli hostages behind.

Trump has aimed to maintain good relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, especially since Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the U.S.

In an interview on Fox News, Boehler spoke about the criticism, saying, “I would say the Israelis were kept informed. I talked to Ron. He had some concerns, and it’s fair for Israel to worry if we’re talking to Hamas directly.”

He added jokingly, “For all he knows, he doesn’t know me. Maybe I’d meet them and think they’re nice guys. Maybe we’d have beer and chips with them.”

Although Trump nominated Boehler in December, he hadn’t had a hearing yet but was already involved in his duties, calling himself the U.S. envoy for hostages on X (formerly Twitter).

When asked about the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “one-off situation” and mentioned Boehler was allowed and encouraged to meet with Hamas. 

Rubio said that while the meeting hasn’t led to results yet, it doesn’t mean it was a mistake to try.