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Mike Waltz Accuses France of Coddling Oppressors as U.S. Delegation Walks Out of UN Security Council Meeting

U.S. diplomats walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday in protest against France's criticism of the American human rights record. The walkout followed a diplomatic row sparked by the U.S. voting against the reappointment of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. While France praised Türk as a "voice of conscience," Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., accused France of "cozying up to the world's worst oppressors" while lecturing democratic nations. Ambassador Jeff Bartos further criticized the reappointment, stating that the human rights system has lost credibility by disproportionately condemning democracies while failing to address authoritarian abuses. The administration announced funding cuts for various UN agencies and has threatened to reassess its engagement with the organization. This move reflects broader tensions between the U.S. and Europe, including disagreements over NATO spending and President Donald Trump's desire to control Greenland. The U.S. delegation will continue to protest until France renounces its "condescending and disrespectful rhetoric."

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