The US delegation walked out of a United Nations Security Council meeting on July 27, 2026, during France's remarks criticizing the US human rights record and likening the country to authoritarian states including North Korea, Russia, Nicaragua, and Mali [1, 2, 3, 4]. The walkout was a direct protest following a July 24 vote in the UN General Assembly to extend Volker Turk's term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The US voted against the extension alongside North Korea, Russia, Nicaragua, Israel, and others [1, 2, 3, 4].
France’s UN mission in Geneva posted on social media that the US "used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore. Today, it stands alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali & Russia, isolated. And the world no longer listens to it." [1, 2, 4]
US diplomats reacted strongly against the French remarks. Dan Negrea, an alternate US representative to the UN, described France’s comments as "disingenuous grandstanding" and "politicized drivel," stating, "There is a member of this council that will feign moral outrage and pretend to lecture the rest of us about every topic... That is why we walked out during France’s intervention." He added, "We will not be affording them the benefit of listening to their politicized drivel until they renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric." [2, 3, 5]
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz accused France of supporting Volker Turk, who "criticizes democratic countries like the US and Israel while cozying up to the world's worst oppressors," and called France’s defense "disappointing – though not surprising – that this is how France deflects on its shameful vote to coddle some of the worst human rights abusers." [1, 3, 4, 6]
France’s Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont defended his country’s position, stating, "We work to preserve this institution, its independence, its ability to act in service of the Charter and act to serve human rights and peace." He referenced the historic relationship, highlighting the 250th anniversary of US-French ties celebrated this year. [1, 2, 3, 5]
The General Assembly vote to extend Volker Turk’s term passed with 144 states in favor, 10 against, and 13 abstentions. Turk is known for criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, scrutinizing Israel’s actions in Gaza, and calling for investigations into deaths in US immigration detention [1, 3, 7, 8].
Tensions between the US and the UN have escalated since 2025, with the US cutting funding to UN agencies and withdrawing from multiple UN bodies amid disputes over human rights and governance [1, 3, 6, 7]. The July 27 walkout is the latest expression of the rift.
The US delegation has pledged to continue walking out of meetings during French interventions until France abandons what US diplomats called "condescending and disrespectful rhetoric." [3, 5]
