Standoff with Trump administration sidelines UN refugee agency deputy, sources say

The Trump administration is refusing to work with Tressa Rae Finerty, the newly appointed deputy head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), sidelining her due to a standoff over post-employment restrictions. Finerty, an American who took the role earlier this month, has taken leave while seeking a waiver from the US government to interact with US officials. Diplomats view the treatment as retaliation after UNHCR rejected Washington's preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson. The standoff comes amid a severe funding crisis for UNHCR following US aid cuts.

The Trump administration is refusing to work with Tressa Rae Finerty, the newly appointed deputy head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), in a standoff that has sidelined her from her duties. Finerty, an American career diplomat who took the role of Deputy High Commissioner earlier this month, has taken leave while seeking a waiver from the US government that would allow her to interact directly with US officials. Post-employment restrictions, designed to prevent conflicts of interest, currently bar her from such contact, with violations potentially carrying a prison sentence. Seven diplomatic sources told Reuters that her treatment is seen as retaliatory after UNHCR opted against Washington's preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson, a senior researcher fellow at the Heritage Foundation. The State Department declined to comment on pending legal issues, stating it works with UNHCR when doing so advances US foreign policy interests. The standoff comes as UNHCR grapples with a severe funding crisis following aid cuts by the Trump administration. US contributions dropped from over $800 million in 2025 to around $110 million this year. The agency estimates its 2026 available funds may reach just over $3 billion, 15% lower than last year and 43% lower than 2024. The deputy high commissioner is traditionally a key interlocutor with major donors, and Finerty's situation may complicate fundraising with the US.