A group of Republican lawmakers led by Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 26 to block the nomination of former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet as United Nations Secretary General. The lawmakers said Bachelet’s record on abortion rights makes her unfit for the role and urged the United States to use its Security Council veto power against her selection.
The letter from Smith and other Republicans argues that Bachelet’s advocacy for abortion rights is at odds with U.S. interests and values, particularly those promoted by President Donald Trump’s administration. The issue matters because the next Secretary General will help shape international policies affecting state sovereignty, human rights, and controversial social issues.
In their letter, the lawmakers wrote: “Dr. Bachelet’s resume reveals a pro-abortion zealot intent on using political authority to override state sovereignty in favor of extreme agendas.” They further stated, “She has both overtly attacked pro-life laws — including those of the United States — and sought to weaken them through intimidation and coercion.”
Bachelet has held several prominent positions at the United Nations, including High Commissioner for Human Rights and Executive Director of UN Women. During her tenure in these roles, she advocated for expanded access to abortion as a women’s right. The letter notes that President Trump withdrew U.S. participation from UN Women in January 2026 over concerns about conflicting interests.
The lawmakers referenced previous statements made by Ambassador Dorothy Shea emphasizing that future Secretaries General should “reject initiatives that fall outside the Charter’s founding purpose” and respect state sovereignty—a vision they argue Bachelet does not share.
The group also criticized Bachelet’s response to China’s treatment of Uyghurs during her visit as High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying: “She should have honestly identified the atrocities committed by the CCP against the Uyghurs as a genocide… Instead, she released a watered-down report literally minutes before her term expired.”
Smith has served in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th district since replacing Frank Thompson in 1981 according to official records. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and currently lives in Manchester Township as reported by NJ.com. Smith graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 according to his congressional biography.
As debate continues over leadership at international organizations like the UN, observers are watching whether U.S. officials will follow through on calls for a veto or seek alternative candidates who align more closely with current American policy priorities.
