Jeremy Karl, President Donald Trump’s controversial pick for the top State Department post overseeing U.S. involvement in the United Nations, said Tuesday he was withdrawing from consideration after it became clear he did not have enough support in the Senate.
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Kahl announced his decision in a statement posted to X Company on Tuesday afternoon, saying he was declining his nomination to be assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs. The position is responsible for shaping America’s diplomacy with the United Nations and dozens of world organizations.
“I wanted to announce that I am declining consideration for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations,” Kahl wrote. He thanked Trump for his nomination and reappointment and thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team for supporting Trump’s candidacy during what he described as a “long and drawn-out process.”
Kahl said his nomination was hampered by his inability to secure unanimous Republican support on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he said was needed given the unified Democratic opposition.
“Unanimous support of all Republican senators on the Foreign Relations Committee was also required,” Kahl wrote. “Unfortunately, we do not have this unanimous support at this time.”
Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Chris Murphy of Connecticut did not immediately respond. defender’s Request for comments. All were highly critical of Kahl’s nomination and asked pointed questions about Kahl’s racist worldview.
Related: Former State Department official warns racist presidential candidate Trump could dismantle human rights protections at the United Nations
Murphy asked Karl during the Feb. 12 hearing. “Your idea, at least before the Trump administration, is that white Americans are exposed to more discrimination.” [getting rid of DEI measures]than black Americans?
Karl replied, “Yes, you’re right. I’m not running away from that word at all.”
The retraction follows weeks of mounting criticism over Kahl’s record of inflammatory statements about race, religion and LGBTQ+ people. During Kahl’s confirmation process, lawmakers confronted him over comments he made supporting the racist “Great Replacement” white supremacy conspiracy theory and questioning the existence of transgender children.
“The global human rights situation is precarious, and we are pleased that Jeremy Karl has withdrawn his nomination to this important role that impacts the lives of millions of people around the world,” said Lori Kramer, U.S. Advocacy Director at the Jewish World Service of America. defender In a statement. “We will continue to fight to advance human rights for all people, everywhere.” AJWS supports grassroots human rights organizations around the world, including those that advance LGBTQ+ rights and fight discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The nomination drew bipartisan scrutiny. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, a Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said he opposed Kahl’s nomination after reviewing some of his past statements, including comments about Jews and Israel that he said were inconsistent with the responsibilities of the role.
Former senior diplomats warned that Kahl’s appointment could undermine America’s credibility abroad. Several people spoke ahead of his confirmation hearing. defender The position Karl sought would have a significant impact on global diplomacy, including human rights negotiations.
Desiree Cormier-Smith, former special representative for racial equity and justice at the State Department, noted that the Office of the Assistant Secretary coordinates U.S. participation in United Nations agencies and other international organizations. Elevating someone associated with alternative theory rhetoric would send a worrying signal to allies and partners, she suggested.
Jessica Stern, a former U.S. special envoy promoting human rights for LGBTQI+ people, was even more candid in an interview. defender. She said Kahl is “not only racist and anti-Semitic” but “violently anti-transgender,” and warned that Kahl’s leadership could prompt the United States to weaken protections for transgender people in international forums.
There was also criticism from outside the government. As for February’s opinion: essay In the Deseret News, former Utah congresswoman Patrice Arendt and Rabbi Elizabeth Richman urged senators to reject Kahl’s nomination, arguing that Kahl’s background makes him unfit to represent the United States in organizations such as the United Nations.
Kahl, a senior fellow at the conservative Claremont Institute and former assistant secretary of the interior during Trump’s first administration, said in a statement that he does not want the White House or State Department to spend any more political money to secure Trump’s confirmation.
“I don’t want the President, Secretary Rubio, or the rest of the team to waste valuable time and energy trying to change that decision,” he wrote.
The White House did not immediately respond. defender’s Request for comments.
Check out some of Sen. Chris Murphy’s questions for Jeremy Karl below.
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