Trump administration opposes all options for new UN chief

The Trump administration opposes all of the current crop of contenders to lead the United Nations — saying that none of them are sufficiently on board with President Donald Trump’s worldview and desire for drastic changes to the body, according to two people familiar with internal conversations.

“The entire slate is lacking the reformers the U.S. would want. And some seem like even more business-as-usual types,” said one of the people, an administration official.

The U.N. is in the process of choosing a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second and final five-year term ends this year. The 81-year-old body is facing a challenge to its mission from the Trump administration, which has slashed the United States’ contributions, withdrawn from multiple U.N. organizations — including the World Health Organization — and created its own body — the Board of Peace — to take over planning for the future of the demolished Gaza Strip.

The U.S. — like other permanent members of the Security Council — has the ability to veto any candidate for the post. The current field of seven candidates includes mostly career diplomats, with former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan consistently polling ahead.


“A career insider is not necessarily the right person to helm it,” said another one of the people, an official at the State Department. “We are looking for a little bit of a disruptor.”

The individuals, and others, were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

It’s unusual for the U.S. to push so forcefully in the choice of secretary-general, and the fierce opposition by the Trump administration to a raft of candidates highlights the extent to which the White House wants to shape the organization.

“It says the Trump administration has realized it actually matters who the U.N. secretary-general is, so they want someone they see as more aligned with their worldview and interests,” said Geoffrey Pyatt, former assistant secretary of State for energy resources and a retired career diplomat.

Asked for comment, the State Department did not address its stance on specific candidates but said it wants a new U.N. leader to return the organization “to its primary purpose of maintaining peace and security in the world, rather than the absurd, politicized, woke ideology that has undermined the institution’s effectiveness and legitimacy.”

“The United States will only support a nominee who shows an unwavering commitment to drive meaningful reform,” the department said.