Key facts
- The Trump administration opposes all current candidates for UN Secretary-General.
- The U.S. seeks a "disruptor" aligned with President Trump's worldview.
- The State Department wants a leader focused on peace and security, not "woke ideology."
- Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica is a leading candidate but faces opposition.
- The U.S. has veto power over UN Secretary-General candidates.
- The UN selection process is expected to conclude by year-end.
The Trump administration is actively opposing all current candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, seeking a leader who aligns with President Donald Trump's "worldview" and desire for significant changes within the organization. Officials familiar with internal discussions stated that the existing contenders are not seen as sufficient reformers and some are perceived as too focused on maintaining the status quo.
The U.N. is currently in the process of selecting a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second and final five-year term concludes this year. The Trump administration has previously reduced U.S. contributions to the U.N. and withdrawn from several of its organizations, including the World Health Organization.
Administration officials expressed a desire for a "disruptor" rather than a "career insider." The U.S., as a permanent member of the Security Council, holds veto power over any candidate. Among the seven current candidates, former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan has been consistently leading in straw polls. However, a Republican congressional aide indicated opposition to Grynspan, citing concerns about her criticism of Israel and perceived leniency towards China.
The State Department, while not commenting on specific candidates, stated its preference for a leader who will return the organization to its "primary purpose of maintaining peace and security," rather than what it described as "absurd, politicized, woke ideology." The department emphasized that the U.S. will only support a nominee committed to "meaningful reform."
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino was previously floated as a potential candidate by Trump, he was never formally nominated. Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, who heads the Trump-created Board of Peace, and Lana Nusseibeh, former UAE ambassador to the UN, are also mentioned as possible contenders. Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton suggested that the administration might not be opposed to the top position remaining vacant, which could further weaken the U.N. bureaucracy.
The selection process largely rests with the 15-member Security Council, which makes a recommendation to the General Assembly. The next straw poll is scheduled for October 16, where permanent members may use colored ballots to indicate their support or opposition to candidates.