The United States delegation staged a walkout during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, protesting remarks by France that equated Washington's human rights voting record with those of Russia and North Korea. The confrontation stems from a vote on Friday, where the US sided with Russia and North Korea in opposing the renewal of Volker Turk's mandate as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Root of the Dispute: UN Human Rights Chief Vote
The vote, which ultimately passed with 144 states in favour, 10 against, and 13 abstaining, saw the US break from its traditional allies. Following the vote, France's UN mission posted on X: "The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore." This triggered a sharp response from US ambassador Mike Waltz, who accused France of supporting a human rights chief who had been "lecturing" democratic countries while "cozying up to the world's worst oppressors."
Turk, whose term was extended, has been vocal on Russia's war in Ukraine and has criticised Israel's military conduct in Gaza. These positions are believed to have contributed to Washington's opposition to his reappointment.
Walkout During Emergency Session
The walkout occurred while France's ambassador, Jerome Bonnafont, was addressing an emergency Security Council session on Russia's war in Ukraine. Bonnafont had described Turk as "a voice of conscience" who demonstrated "rigour and impartiality" during his first term. US ambassador Dan Negrea warned that similar protests would continue until France "renounces their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric."
In a separate statement, US ambassador Jeff Bartos highlighted potential consequences, saying, "The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding." Bartos added that there would be repercussions for any assembly that "tolerates procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts."
Broader US-UN Tensions
The standoff reflects a wider pattern of friction between the Trump administration and the United Nations. Washington has cut funding to several UN agencies and withdrawn from numerous UN bodies in recent months. Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment on the walkout, stating only that the UN expects all member states to respect the assembly's decisions.
Separately, the United States publicly welcomed Chad's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring the US would never surrender its sovereignty to the ICC. Washington announced a whole-of-government campaign against what it called the ICC's illegitimate overreach.
Domestic Immigration Policy
Meanwhile, Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 Haitians and thousands of Syrians living in the US expired on Monday, July 27, 2026. The expiration follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that cleared the way for the Trump administration to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to ramp up operations targeting Haitian TPS holders, though a source indicated those plans could change based on further court rulings.
