At his confirmation hearing, Jeff Bartos described the U.N. as ‘almost immune to reform’ but said that U.S. leadership from Trump as a ‘unique window of opportunity’ to force reform by leveraging U.S. funding
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Jeff Bartos, candidate for Lt. Governor in PA talks to people during the Berks County GOP Fall dinner at Stokesay Castle in Lower Alsace township Monday night October 15, 2018.
Jeff Bartos, the Trump administration’s nominee for U.S. representative to the United Nations for U.N. management and reform, said at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s presidency provides unique opportunities to work to compel change and reform at the U.N., including in its alleged bias against Israel.
Bartos, a Jewish Republican, previously ran for U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania.
Asked by members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about antisemitism issues at the U.N. and efforts to disband the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, Bartos described the U.N. as “almost immune to reform” but said that U.S. leadership from Trump as a “unique window of opportunity” to force reform by leveraging U.S. funding.
Jennifer Locetta, the nominee for alternate representative to the U.N. for special political affairs, who testified alongside Bartos, said that she would work with the administration on its review of U.S. participation in U.N. agencies, such as those that have shown “pervasive anti-Israel bias” and would work to ensure that “everything that we do makes sure that America is stronger, safer and more prosperous.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle, the nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Greece, spoke at multiple points about tensions between Greece and Turkey, as well as the importance of relations between Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
Guilfoyle, the ex-fiance of Trump’s son Donald Jr. and a conservative media figure, political operative and former prosecutor, indicated her opposition to providing Turkey with F-35 fighter jets in light of its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system, pointing to Greece as a more reliable ally.
“I think it is imperative that we focus and point out the juxtaposition of a strong, steady ally who answered the call and exceeded the expectations like Greece and someone who, yes, is in NATO, but also needs to follow suit and be that same kind of strong and strategic ally,” Guilfoyle said. She said she would work with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack on Turkey issues.