In a significant political move, President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, for the position of US Ambassador to France.

Charles Kushner's nomination still requires Senate approval and remains pending as Trump gears up for his presidential term, as the Daily Mail reports.

The announcement came on Saturday afternoon, highlighting Trump's choice of a prominent real estate figure and family member for a key diplomatic role.

Charles Kushner, who founded Kushner Companies, is no stranger to the national spotlight, having been a major political donor and a figure in real estate with over $3 billion in property.

Charles Kushner's Controversial Past and Pardon

Despite his business success, Charles Kushner's past includes a conviction for serious crimes, including tax fraud and witness tampering, which led to a prison sentence of nearly two years.

His legal troubles culminated in a pardon in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump.

At the time, Trump cited Kushner's "record of reform and charity" as a factor that overshadowed his criminal convictions.

Chris Christie, former U.S. attorney and governor, has been vocal about Kushner's crimes, describing them as "loathsome, disgusting crimes," the most severe he had ever prosecuted.

This stark condemnation contrasts with Trump’s praise of Kushner as a "tremendous business leader" and "philanthropist."

Impact on the Kushner Family and Diplomatic Ties

Jared Kushner, previously an influential figure in Trump's administration as well as his son-in-law, has opted along with his wife Ivanka to step away from politics.

They have instead decided to focus on their private life and family.

Despite the high-profile nomination of his father, Jared has stated that their life will proceed regardless of the election's outcome.

This decision reflects a broader desire within the Kushner family to distance themselves from political entanglements as they had done after leaving Washington.

Ivanka, in particular, has been consistent in keeping to this decision, according to Jared Kushner’s statements to the New York Times.

Reactions and Expectations from Political Figures

Donald Trump lauded Charles Kushner's capabilities in a series of public compliments, emphasizing his potential to enhance the strong ties between the U.S. and France, "our oldest Ally & one of our greatest."

He extended his congratulations to Kushner's family, underlining the diplomatic mission's importance to the upcoming administration.

Christie’s remarks serve as a reminder of the gravity of Kushner's past actions, stressing that irrespective of one’s social or financial stature, the legal system in New Jersey is committed to upholding justice.

This juxtaposition of viewpoints illustrates the complex layers of Kushner's nomination.