US weighs delaying France's Washington ambassador pick over human rights spat

The US is considering delaying or blocking France's ambassador pick after French UN mission criticized Washington's human rights record. The dispute reflects broader tensions between the allies over tariffs, Iran, and NATO.

The United States is considering delaying or even blocking France's nominee for ambassador to Washington, Aurelien Lechevallier, following public French criticism of the US human rights record. The criticism came in a social media post by France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva, which accused Washington of abandoning its role as a human rights beacon after the US voted against extending the mandate of UN human rights chief Volker Turk. Four sources said no decision has been made, but the post sparked genuine anger among senior Trump administration officials. The dispute adds to existing tensions between the allies over tariffs, the Iran war, and NATO. France had hoped to have Lechevallier installed by September. The process of securing US consent for an ambassador is normally confidential, and a public delay would be highly unusual.