The Senate has confirmed Mike Waltz, a former Florida lawmaker and Army Green Beret, as President Trump’s ambassador to the UN, just days before the annual UN General Assembly in New York.
Waltz’s confirmation came with a narrow 47-43 vote, ending a few months of delay in the Senate. Most Democrats were against his appointment, but Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) supported him, citing his credentials. Interestingly, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) broke from party lines to vote against him.
This position allows Waltz to represent the U.S. at the UN General Assembly next week, where leaders from 193 member states will engage in crucial discussions on pressing global matters, including the conflict in Ukraine and Israel’s actions against Hamas.
During his confirmation hearing in July, Waltz expressed strong criticism of the UN, arguing that it has become bloated and inefficient. He highlighted that UN revenue has quadrupled in the last two decades without a corresponding improvement in peace and stability while noting the significant burden on U.S. taxpayers, who contributed $13 billion last year while some member states barely contributed.
Waltz also called for reforms aimed at streamlining operations. He suggested reducing overlapping agencies, establishing clear obligations for peacekeeping missions, and reducing the Secretary’s budget by 20%. Drawing from his military experiences in Africa and the Middle East, he pointed out that aid often fails to reach those in need due to bureaucratic slowdowns.
Another significant point he raised was regarding China’s status at the UN. Waltz questioned how China is still regarded as a “developing country,” despite being the world’s second-largest economy. He expressed concerns about Beijing’s influence on international standards and promised to collaborate closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address what he described as a lack of fair competition and accountability.
He also highlighted what he referred to as the UN’s “systematic bias” against Israel. Waltz noted that from 2015 to 2023, over twice as many resolutions had been directed at Israel compared to all other countries combined in the General Assembly. He criticized UNRWA for employing staff with links to Hamas and promoting anti-Semitic content, calling for its dismantling.
Supporters cited his extensive service record, which includes his roles as a Colonel Green Beret and as policy director under two defense secretaries. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) described him during the hearing as “one of the most qualified candidates” for this role in U.S. history. Other Republicans, like Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Jim Risch (R-ID), praised his focus on reform, emphasizing his practicality and dedication to protecting American taxpayers.
Waltz has echoed Ronald Reagan’s vision for the UN, indicating that it should be a platform for resolving issues rather than causing discord. He told the senators that his aim is to enhance peacekeeping efforts and to ensure that U.S. sovereignty and interests remain a priority.
