United Nations Under Fire from Trump’s Speech

President Trump spoke before the United Nations this week and gave direct feedback on the organization. He was critical of the organization’s failure to solve global conflicts and its lack of enforcement in international issues. Let’s take a look.

Trump Criticizes the United Nations

Donald Trump has consistently criticized the United Nations during his addresses to the General Assembly. His critiques reflect a broader skepticism of multilateral institutions and a belief that the UN has failed to live up to its founding ideals. Here’s a breakdown of his key criticisms:

• Trump accused the UN of being passive and, in general, ineffective. He claimed he had to end seven wars personally, and the UN never reached out to offer assistance. Some claim this is misleading, although the UN was not a decisive mediator in these conflicts.
• He mocked the UN’s lack of enforcement after issuing strong statements.
• He criticized the United Nations’ stance on immigration and border policies.
• He has dismissed climate change as a “con job” and a “green scam.”
• He condemned states that recognized Palestinian statehood.
• He has accused the United Nations of focusing more on symbolism than substance.

The UN Charter

While some of his criticisms are valid, not all are. That being said, the United Nations has struggled to meet the goals established in its charter:

WE, THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, DETERMINED

To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

There Are Serious Issues That Impact the UN’s Credibility

To that end, they must focus more on the following:

• Preventing war – while we haven’t had another global war, we have ongoing wars in the world where the death toll is staggering, e.g., the Ukraine War and the Gaza War. The UN has made several strong statements, but little else. They have not been active in negotiating an end to either war.
• Human Rights—It is difficult to take the UN seriously when, in 2023, it appointed Iran as head of the Human Rights Council’s Social Forum. In 2025, it elected Iran to lead the Asia-Pacific Group within the council. Iran has a horrible record of human rights, and women have few, if any, rights in their country. Regardless of its human rights record, every member state can vote and be elected.
• Members of the United Nations have been complicit in atrocities, including wars.
  • UNRWA had members from Hamas in its staffing who participated in the Oct 7th attack on Israel.
  • UN peacekeepers have been accused of raping and exploiting women and children in countries like Congo, Haiti, and Bosnia.
  • UN members have been accused of sex trafficking in Bosnia and Kosovo.
  • The UN aims to protect civilians, but may have enabled militants.
  • It calls for human rights, yet may have harbored violators.

The Catholic View

The Catholic Church views the United Nations as a necessary and morally significant organization. The Vatican has been a permanent observer at the UN since 1964. The Church’s engagement is to promote Jesus’ teachings on peace, human dignity, and solidarity – key components of Catholic Social Teaching. The UN, in its current state, has a lot of work to do to be the organization the Church wants and needs it to be. The UN, and the Catholic Church, for that matter, must be above reproach, and both have fallen short in recent years.

While Trump’s criticisms are valid, we need the United Nations to fulfill its charter. This may require organizational change within the United Nations and full engagement from all countries. Jesus teaches us that truth and justice will ultimately result in peace if we follow God’s will. Let’s pray for the UN to be that organization of truth and justice.

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Peace

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