Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and 26 other Republican members of Congress sent a letter on Mar. 26 to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the United States to veto the selection of Dr. Michelle Bachelet as the next United Nations Secretary General.
The lawmakers said their concerns stem from Bachelet’s record in previous roles, which they argue is not aligned with what they described as the Trump Administration’s expectations for the position. The letter was first reported by the Daily Wire.
In their statement, Smith and his colleagues wrote, “Dr. Bachelet’s previous promotion of an extreme abortion agenda suggests that, if selected as the next UNSG, she would continue the UN practice of engaging in ‘the propagation of divisive ideologies that undermine national sovereignty and stir controversy rather than bring member states together to address issues of common concern.’ Her demonstrated ambitions and priorities conflict with the United States’ determination to bring the UN ‘back to the basics.’”
The letter outlines several points regarding Bachelet’s tenure as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, where she opposed pro-life policies and condemned U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The authors also cite her time leading UN Women—where she supported reproductive rights—and her presidency in Chile, where she worked to change pro-life laws.
The lawmakers conclude: “Dr. Bachelet’s resume reveals a pro-abortion zealot intent on using political authority to override state sovereignty in favor of extreme agendas,” adding that “she has demonstrated that she is not a candidate who will respect state sovereignty, refrain from divisive ideologies, or focus on issues of common concern to UN member states.”
Smith has served in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th District since 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.
