A Trump administration official was allegedly assaulted inside United Nations headquarters in New York City during the General Assembly, exposing major security failures at the international venue.
According to Fox News, the Department of Health and Human Services official, present to assist Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was confronted by a “deranged leftist” while walking down a hallway at the UN on Sept. 25.
The protestor reportedly followed her, recording and verbally attacking her despite multiple layers of security.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly described the incident as appalling, saying, “An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the UN who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security. Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested.”
The official described being yelled at while walking down the hall and realizing she was being recorded. The assailant allegedly shouted insults including “Nazi” and “fascist” while screaming pro-Palestinian remarks.
Even when the official tried to escape into the women’s restroom, the aggressor followed and continued yelling through the closed stall door.
The confrontation reportedly lasted roughly ten minutes, per the Daily Mail.
The suspect was charged with assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. She was later released from custody on Friday. Kelly noted that the Secret Service will investigate how the protestor gained access to a “major national security event” and criticized the UN for repeated security lapses.
A UN spokesperson called the assault “outrageous,” adding, “This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt.” The UN confirmed it will work closely with the Secret Service to investigate the breach.
The assailant is expected in court on November 13.
This attack comes after a series of malfunctions during President Trump’s UN appearance on Sept. 23, including a stalled escalator before his speech and a malfunctioning teleprompter during his address. Large-scale protests outside the Assembly throughout the week added further strain on UN security.
The HHS official said the attack felt “very political in nature” and suggested hostility aimed at Secretary Kennedy may be spilling over to other administration members. She described the assailant’s behavior as “hyper-aggressive” and said the experience was frightening, emphasizing the importance of stronger safeguards for American delegates abroad.
Kelly urged the UN to conduct a full review of its security operations, calling the repeated incidents “highly concerning” for U.S. government staff. She noted that failures like this undermine trust in the UN as a venue for diplomatic events and expose American personnel to unnecessary risk.
The incident has sparked outrage among U.S. officials, who have demanded accountability for the attacker and reassurances that proper safeguards are in place for all American delegates. The episode underscores the risks faced by U.S. personnel at high-profile international events and raises questions about the UN’s ability to protect them from politically motivated assaults.
The UN confirmed that a “thorough review” of security procedures is underway. Officials emphasized that both immediate and long-term measures will be considered to prevent similar breaches in the future, highlighting the seriousness of the attack and the importance of safeguarding U.S. government staff at global gatherings.
