UNITED NATIONS: Mike Waltz is approaching his new role as US ambassador to the United Nations and a mandate from President Donald Trump to cut funding for what were once longtime American priorities the same way he set about representing Florida in Congress.
“I approach nearly every decision I can here with America first, with the American taxpayer first,” Waltz said virtually at a recent event at the Richard Nixon Foundation.
“So, if I had to stand up in a town hall with a group of mechanics and firemen and women and nurses and teachers and testify to them that their money is being well spent in line with our interest, that would be incredibly tough right now.”
He added, “And that’s why we’re using, quite frankly, our contribution as leverage for reform” at the UN
In recent meetings with UN officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, Waltz and his colleagues at the US mission have made the case that the United States — the UN’s largest donor — will no longer be footing the bill the way it has since the world body’s founding eight decades ago.
