Nikki Haley’s self-introduction to the United Nations press corps today as the new U.S. representative was a display of unvarnished thuggery and imperial arrogance, unique in recent diplomatic history.
Haley, former governor of South Carolina, sounded more like a mob enforcer than an ambassador, as she smilingly threatened U.S. allies: “For those that don’t have our back, we’re taking names; we will make points to respond to that accordingly.”
She went on to assert the Trump regime’s “right” to make whatever changes it so desired in the UN: “This administration is prepared and ready to go in, to have me go in, look at the U.N., and everything that’s working we’re going to make it better. Everything that’s not working, we’re going to try and fix. And anything that seems to be obsolete and not necessary, we’re going to do away with.”
Any doubt that Haley’s statement – which lasted a mere 69 seconds — was deliberately provocative was erased by her refusal to answer questions from the assembled international media.
In its tone and content, the statement was one more expression of the in-your-face “America First” extreme nationalism that has characterized Trump’s speeches and executive orders, many of which have reportedly been co-authored by his “chief strategist,” the notorious white supremacist Steve Bannon.
Just the day before, Trump doubled-down on his virulent anti-Mexican rhetoric: “Unless Mexico is going to treat the United States fairly, with respect, such a meeting [with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto] would be fruitless, and I want to go a different route.” The idea that Mexico, half of which was annexed militarily by the U.S., has treated the latter “unfairly” takes chauvinism, as well as absurdity, to new heights.
