Waltz Pivots UN Role Amidst “America First” Overhaul

Senate Grills Nominee on Reforms, Funding, and Past Security Blunders

WASHINGTON – Mike Waltz outlined a vision for the United Nations Tuesday, emphasizing a return to core missions and a critical review of U.S. financial support under a potential Trump administration focused on “making the U.N. great again.” As the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Waltz signaled a strong commitment to major reforms, aligning with the priorities of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Back to Basics” at the World Body

During his Senate confirmation hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee, Waltz articulated his belief that the U.N. should serve as a crucial global forum. He stated, “We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk — where China, Russia, Europe and the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts.” However, he also voiced concern that the organization has strayed from its original peacekeeping mandate after eight decades.

Scrutiny Over Signal Chat Incident

The hearing addressed the controversial Signal chat incident from May, where Waltz, then a national security adviser, mistakenly included a journalist in a private conversation discussing sensitive military plans. While Waltz denied being removed from his previous post, Democratic senators raised strong objections to his handling of classified information. Senator Chris Coons remarked, “We both know Signal is not an appropriate and secure means of communicating highly sensitive information.” Senator Tim Kaine labeled the action an “amateurish move,” and Senator Cory Booker expressed disappointment, citing a “lack of accountability” from Waltz and other administration officials.

Waltz maintained that the communication adhered to administration cybersecurity standards, asserting that “no classified information was shared.” He noted that a military investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

Reshaping Diplomacy and Combating Global Influence

The nominee detailed an agenda focused on challenging China’s growing global influence and scrutinizing U.S. funding for U.N. agencies perceived as having inefficient or redundant mandates. A key focus will be addressing what Waltz described as “deep antisemitism” within the United Nations system. This includes allegations of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, promoting “antisemitic hate” in its schools in Gaza.

The U.N. itself is undergoing significant restructuring, partly in response to the current administration’s drastic cuts to foreign assistance, which have impacted humanitarian aid agencies. The organization is grappling with financial instability, leading to job reductions and project consolidations. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, total assessed contributions for the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget in 2023 amounted to over $3.3 billion. The administration’s strategy aims to ensure that all U.S. contributions directly serve compelling national interests.

U.N. Reform: A Critical Juncture

Senator Mike Lee of Utah emphasized the stakes for the U.N., stating that with Waltz at the helm, “the U.N. will have what I regard as what should be its last chance to demonstrate its actual value to the United States.” He added that the Security Council has an opportunity to prove its worth in settling disputes and brokering deals, moving beyond “progressive political virtue signaling.” Waltz pointed out that while U.N. revenue has increased significantly, this growth has not been matched by a commensurate rise in global peace, noting that U.N. revenue “has quadrupled in the last 20 years” without a direct link to increased peace.

Waltz’s Continued White House Role

Questions were also raised regarding Waltz‘s continued employment on the White House payroll as an adviser, earning an annual salary of $195,200, despite his departure as national security adviser. A White House official explained this was to ensure a smooth transition. Waltz clarified that he was being paid as an adviser “transitioning a number of important activities,” refuting the assertion that he had been terminated from his previous role.