The White House has hit out at the United Nations (U.N.) following what it called a “disturbing set of failures” which allegedly involved a Trump administration official being assaulted in the body’s New York headquarters on Thursday.
The victim, said to work in a supporting role for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHH), told the network they were subject to a ten-minute ordeal during which she attempted to hide in a bathroom stall.
Newsweek contacted the U.N. for comment via email, and the DHH by press inquiry form, on Saturday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Thursday’s incident came after President Trump faced what he described as “triple sabotage” during his visit to the U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday to deliver a speech. This saw an escalator abruptly come to a stop as the president and first lady stepped onto it, which Trump described as “absolute sabotage” though U.N. officials insisted it was a “built-in safety mechanism.”
Trump also said during his address the teleprompter wasn’t working and that there were problems with the sound in the auditorium. Following his second presidential inauguration in January Trump withdrew the U.S. from the U.N. Human Rights Council.
What To Know
On Friday in a post on X, Anna Kelly, the White House’s deputy press secretary, wrote: “Yesterday, a Trump administration official was assaulted by a deranged leftist at the UN. This is part of a disturbing set of failures by the U.N. after their sabotage of President Trump. The U.N. must answer for this pattern of concerning incidents.”
Her post linked to a Fox News article in which the network said it had spoken to a DHH official who said they were attacked on Thursday afternoon in the U.N. headquarters.
Speaking to the network the official, who wasn’t named, said she was walking along a corridor in the U.N. building when a woman began verbally abusing her and shining a light in her face. The official said the woman called her a “fascist” and a “Nazi” and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans while filming her.
According to the official, she retreated into a bathroom stall for safety, which the woman tried pushing open before filming over the door and screaming. She allegedly then waited outside the bathroom and continued berating the official once they had left. Overall the incident lasted 10 minutes according to the official.
Speaking to Newsweek an NYPD spokesperson said 62-year-old Patricia Schuh had been arrested over the incident and charged with assault and harassment. Citing an unnamed source Fox News reported the woman was bailed with a court appearance scheduled for November.
Kelly said the U.S. Secret Service would investigate “how this violent protester was admitted into a major national security event.”
During his address on Tuesday, Trump said he had “ended seven un-endable wars” since entering the White House and also argued Western Europe was being “ruined” by immigration.
What People Are Saying
Addressing Newsweek an NYPD spokesperson said: “On Thursday, September 25, 2025, at approximately 1753 hours, police were notified of an assault in the vicinity of East 50 Street and 1st Avenue, within the confines of the 17 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers located a 41-year-old female with complaints of pain and swelling to their face and right eye. The victim was treated on scene by EMS. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Speaking to Fox News Kelly said: “An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the U.N. who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security.
“Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested, but this is part of a disturbing and dangerous set of failures by the U.N. after their sabotage of President Trump ahead of and during his speech.”
A U.S. U.N. spokesperson told Fox News: “This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt … If you can’t keep people safe in your own building, how can you claim to be the world’s diplomatic center?”
What Happens Next
Investigations into what took place on Thursday regarding the official are continuing. According to Fox News the arrested individual is next expected in court on November 13.