...
By James Bickerton
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The White House has hit out at the United Nations (U.N.) following what it called a "disturbing set of failures" that allegedly involved a Trump administration official being assaulted in the body’s New York City headquarters on Thursday.
The official, said to work in a supporting role for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told Fox News they were subject to a 10-minute ordeal during which she attempted to hide in a bathroom stall.
Newsweek contacted the U.N. for comment via email on Saturday outside of regular office hours.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
Thursday’s incident came after President Donald Trump faced what he described as "triple sabotage" during his visit to U.N. headquarters in Manhattan 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, White House 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 an HHS 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."
An HHS spokesperson told Newsweek they were aware of the alleged assault as reported by Fox News but didn't offer any further details.
During his address on Tuesday, Trump said he had "ended seven unendable 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."
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.
Update 9/30/25, 5:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comment from an HHS spokesperson.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines