The Trump administration is slamming the door on freewheeling diplomats and their consumer spending sprees while at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, as the Associated Press reports. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and his entourage have already been denied visas, signaling a no-nonsense approach to foreign delegations. This move sets the stage for a broader crackdown that has globalists clutching their pearls.
The administration has rejected visas for Abbas’s delegation and is mulling restrictions on Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and even Brazil, limiting their movements outside New York City during the U.N. meeting starting Sept. 22. These proposals, found in a leaked State Department memo, underscore a push to tighten the screws on visa policies. Syria, meanwhile, gets a pass, with its delegation freed from over a decade of travel limits.
Abbas’s visa denial is a bold opener, showing the administration is not playing favorites. The Palestinian leader’s exclusion from the high-level U.N. gathering sends a clear message: access to America isn’t guaranteed. Progressive dreams of open borders take another hit with this decisive action.
Iranian diplomats, already on a short leash in New York, face a particularly cheeky proposal. The State Department is considering barring them from shopping at bulk retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club without explicit permission. Apparently, stocking up on cheap American goods to ship home might soon require a bureaucratic hall pass.
These wholesale stores are a favorite for Iranian envoys, who exploit them to buy products scarce in their isolated nation. The potential ban, though not yet finalized, would add a layer of humiliation to Iran’s already restricted diplomatic playbook. It’s a small but satisfying jab at a regime that’s no friend to U.S. interests.
The memo also hints at broader rules, potentially imposing conditions on all foreign diplomats’ wholesale club memberships. This could disrupt the cozy shopping sprees of U.N. delegates across the board. The left’s cries of “diplomatic overreach” are predictable, but securing America’s interests comes first.
Brazil’s inclusion on the restricted list raises eyebrows, given its traditional role as the first speaker at the U.N. General Assembly. It’s unclear if President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva himself or just lower-level delegates would face visa limits. Trump’s ire likely stems from Lula’s prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally accused of plotting a coup.
Lula’s government, cozying up to progressive ideals, has drawn Trump’s wrath, and this visa scrutiny feels like a pointed response. Brazil’s honored spot at the U.N. podium might not shield it from America’s tightened grip. The message is clear: personal loyalty matters, and Trump’s not afraid to flex.
The U.S. president, by tradition the second speaker at the U.N. session, sets the tone for global leadership. Targeting Brazil’s delegation risks diplomatic ripples, but it’s a calculated move to remind allies who’s boss. Lula’s woke agenda might find less sympathy in Trump’s America.
Syria’s delegation, meanwhile, enjoys a rare reprieve, thanks to a waiver issued last week. This follows the ouster of Bashar Assad, with the Trump administration eager to weave Syria back into the Middle Eastern fold. It’s a pragmatic shift, prioritizing regional stability over ideological grudges.
The waiver lifts restrictions that have hobbled Syria’s U.N. travel for over a decade. While the left might cheer this as diplomacy, it’s more about strategic realpolitik than warm fuzzies. Trump’s team knows a reformed Syria could counter Iran’s influence.
Sudan and Zimbabwe’s potential restrictions remain vague, with the memo offering no specifics. This lack of clarity keeps both nations guessing, a tactic that maximizes pressure without committing to details. It’s a classic Trump move: keep opponents off-balance.
The State Department’s silence on the memo suggests these plans are still fluid. Neither Iran’s nor Brazil’s U.N. missions have commented, leaving room for speculation about the outcome. The uncertainty only amplifies the administration’s leverage.
These proposals build on Trump’s broader visa crackdown, which includes scrutinizing existing permissions and new entries for the U.N. meeting. The administration’s laser focus on border control exposes the folly of unchecked diplomatic access. Global elites may scoff, but Americans demand security.
As the U.N. General Assembly looms, Trump’s visa policies signal a rejection of the open-door dogma peddled by progressives. The world’s diplomats might find New York a less welcoming place this September. And that, for many, is a refreshing change.
