John Bolton and Mike Pompeo Will Make Trump Even More Dangerous

The mission of the United Nations is to promote international peace and security, invest in international development, and advance human rights. However, according to John Bolton, the recently appointed national security advisor of the United States, "There is no such thing as the United Nations" and "If the U.N. Secretariat Building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."

This is startling speech coming from a man who also served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006 under the George W. Bush administration, a nomination that was accompanied by strong opposition from over 100 U.S. envoys. His nomination was so controversial that the Senate refused to confirm his appointment, not once but twice; lucky for him this time, he does not need Senate approval to take on the position as national security advisor. Arguably, any opposition to Bolton's new White House presence will likely be disregarded by President Trump, who has high praise for this "tough cookie."

Though Bolton's term as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. was only 16 months, he utilized his time to push forward his anti-U.N. agenda. In an opinion piece penned for The Boston Globe, Bolton says, "The Security Council, the General Assembly, and the various 'human-rights' organizations -- have largely been failures." Furthermore, the creation of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2006 did not include the membership of the United States and did not until 2009, under the Obama administration. Bolton criticized the decision, saying that America's involvement on the UNHRC "legitimizes something that doesn't deserve legitimacy."

The announcement of Bolton's appointment as national security advisor followed closely behind the announcement of Mike Pompeo as the new secretary of State. Between the two of them, the international LGBTIQ community has cause for concern. Pompeo has a long history of opposing LGBTIQ rights, including by publicly speaking out against the historic Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, and opposing the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," among a list of other anti-LGBTIQ positions.

The role of the national security advisor and the secretary of State is to provide the president with briefings and advice on national security issues as well as on foreign policy, positions that act as daily influences for the country's commander in chief. Bolton's and Pompeo's highly vocalized opinions and conservative viewpoints will now find an ear with the president, a man who has already expressed his own disdain for the U.N., has rolled back policies protecting LGBTIQ people in the U.S., and has stayed silent as LGBTIQ people all over the world suffer state-sanctioned violence. Trump has repeatedly criticized the multilateral organization, on everything from its "cheap" marble tiles to its "weakness and incompetence." He has also said that the United Nations is "not a friend to freedom, it's not even a friend to the United States of America" and accused it of causing more problems rather than solving them.

Having Bolton and Pompeo as constant influences, especially considering their negative views on the U.N. and lack of support for human rights, will only further exacerbate Trump's already abysmal track record on these issues and has the potential to be dangerous for marginalized communities. One such example is the possibility for even more decreased funding by the United States to the U.N., which already faced a cut of $285 million in 2017. The U.S. provides about 20 percent of the U.N.'s funding, and further decreases in financial support would result in less resources and aid available for those most in need. The U.S. wields significant influence over other nations, and a backtracking on commitment to the U.N. and to human rights could cause a shift in the political landscape for vulnerable communities on the international stage.

Since its creation, the U.N. has made significant contributions to the advocacy of human rights, including on LGBTIQ human rights. Those who face the greatest persecution, often at the hands of the state, and have exhausted their options in the pursuit of justice without any result turn to the U.N. to hold their governments accountable. The U.N. serves as a platform to advocate for national-level changes on issues impacting the LGBTIQ community in countries where doing so is too dangerous. The U.S. cannot further undermine this integral institution, which is a port of last call when governments fail their citizens.

The appointment of Bolton as national security advisor and Mike Pompeo as secretary of State, the third and second, respectively in Trump's short presidency, will spur further divisiveness rather than unity. Communities already on the edges of society will be impacted the most, whether it is from the removal of LGBTIQ and human rights issues from the U.S.'s foreign policy agenda or the further distancing of the United States from the functions of the U.N. Ultimately, the repercussions will be felt by those who cannot afford to feel them.

RASHIMA KWATRA is the communications officer for OutRight Action International.