'Deranged leftist' assaults Trump official inside UN bathroom, WH slams security failure
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A Donald Trump administration official was physically assaulted inside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday during the annual gathering of the UN General Assembly.
The incident has sparked an outrage in Washington and renewed criticism of the UN’s security protocols.
According to Fox News Digital, the official, who works in international relations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was in New York serving in a support role for HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and his leadership team.
She was followed into a restroom, verbally harassed, filmed, and physically attacked by what White House officials described as a “deranged leftist” who somehow managed to bypass multiple layers of UN security.
White House blames UN security failures
The incident, which unfolded after the escalator, teleprompter, and audio glitches, has raised serious concerns about the safety of US delegations at one of the world’s most high-profile diplomatic venues.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told the outlet that the official was “physically assaulted and verbally accosted” inside UN headquarters, calling the attack part of a “disturbing and dangerous set of failures” by the UN.
“Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested,” Kelly said.
She added that the US Secret Service will investigate how such an individual gained entry into what she described as a “major national security event.”
A source familiar with the matter said that the attacker has been charged with assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The individual was released from custody on Friday evening and is scheduled to appear in court on November 13.
US delegation demands accountability
A spokesperson for the US Mission to the UN expressed outrage, calling the attack “unacceptable” and demanding that the UN take responsibility for the breach.
“This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt,” the spokesperson said.
“If you can’t keep people safe in your own building, how can you claim to be the world’s diplomatic center?”
The spokesperson further accused the UN of having “lost its way,” arguing that the organization has now “devolved into an arena where an American delegation member is harassed and assaulted.”
Victim recounts terrifying ordeal at UNGA
The HHS official described how the assailant berated her with insults, shined a bright light in her face, and hurled pro-Palestinian slogans.
“It was very disorienting,” she said. The attacker allegedly called her a “fascist” and a “Nazi” while following her into the women’s restroom.
The official said the harassment escalated when the woman tried to force her way into a bathroom stall while filming.
“Her yelling turned into screaming hyper-aggressive insults,” she recounted. Even after the official managed to close the stall door, the woman allegedly held her camera over the top to continue recording.
The incident, which lasted nearly 10 minutes, only ended when the official was able to flee.
The US delegation has demanded sweeping changes to UN security procedures, calling the incident a clear failure of the organization’s ability to protect its members.
