Exclusive from me and @columlynch: Leaked emails and behind-the-scenes battles show how the administration, after failing to slash congressional aid, used bureaucratic levers to stifle money flows to the U.N. foreignpolicy.com/2018/10/02/tru…
@columlynch The email we obtained provides a snapshot of a wider effort by the White House and its State appointees to starve US foreign assistance programs through bureaucratic maneuverings despite Congressional support for the programs, officials tell us
@columlynch Now, after losing internal battles with Congress on UN funding, State relented and agreed to abide by Congress’s directives but they still plan to slash $25 million in funding for UN human rights programs
@columlynch At one point last month, senior State Department appointees proposed stripping all U.S. funding from the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and allocate it instead to the Organization of American States. But Secretary Pompeo ultimately axed that plan, officials tell us.
@columlynch The Trump administration also wants to exercise greater control over the way the U.N. spends voluntary U.S. contributions. They want to make sure no money that goes to UN high commissioner for human rights can be used to scrutinize Israel’s human rights record
@columlynch They also want to apply the global gag rule to US funds for UN Women, something that aligns with the administration’s pro-life/anti-choice/however you call it priorities
@columlynch Critics, including some State officials, say this is the US micromanaging how the UN can use funds and will undercut its effectiveness
@columlynch State spokeswoman rejects these assertions and says they are simply ensuring US funding to the UN is spent on programs that don’t undercut administration’s priorities
@columlynch The leaked email shows how State appointees wanted to target funding for sexual health, Palestinians, and apparently, the global nonprofit Open Society Foundation funded by George Soros, the boogeyman for some on the far right and the Viktor Orban’s of the world 
@columlynch The leaked email also reflects the growing influence of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, which reports to top WH aids Stephen Miller, has over State Dept on issues like international orgs and refugees
