UN Secretary-General António Guterres appears to be preparing his staff for potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy in the era of President Donald Trump. In a message circulated to UN personnel, Guterres acknowledged the “challenging task” confronting the international organization.
Guterres stated in the communication, “I want to reassure you that we are collaborating closely with colleagues across the United Nations system to grasp and alleviate the potential repercussions on our activities.”
He continued, “Now, more than ever, the efforts of the United Nations are indispensable. In light of this formidable test, your commitment and backing will be instrumental in helping us surmount obstacles and progress. Together, we will guarantee that our mandate of aiding individuals in crisis worldwide endures with steadfast dedication.”
In response to a Fox News request for comment, Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, “From day one, US support for the United Nations has saved countless lives and advanced global security. The Secretary-General looks forward to continuing his productive relationship with President Trump and the US Government to strengthen that relationship in today’s turbulent world.”
During his 2024 campaign, Trump took aim at government spending, ultimately introducing DOGE to tackle waste.
Following Trump’s order, Secretary Rubio paused all US foreign assistance programs funded by or through the State Department and USAID pending review.
“Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative,” the State Department statement read. “The Secretary is proud to protect America’s investment with a deliberate and judicious review of how we spend foreign assistance dollars overseas.”
In the same statement, the State Department emphasized Secretary Rubio’s focus on ensuring the programs his department funds are working for Americans and are “consistent with US foreign policy under the America First agenda.”
