Jeremy Carl speaks at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington D.C., Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Dominic Gwinn / Middle East Images via AFP)
President Donald Trump’s nominee, Jeremy Carl, is set to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, despite a history of divisive and inflammatory remarks. Carl has been nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, a role that would place him in charge of over 100 diplomats globally and involve significant collaboration with the United Nations on issues such as human rights, immigration, and global development.
Carl previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior during Trump’s first term. His nomination has drawn scrutiny due to a long history of controversial statements, some of which have been characterized as racist and violent. A CNN KFile investigation in September revealed that Carl attempted to delete thousands of social media posts before his nomination in June. Among these posts were calls for the execution of the head of the American Federation of Teachers and inflammatory comments regarding the Democratic Party and the January 6 insurrection.
In one of his past statements, Carl referred to Juneteenth as a “race hustling and white-shaming holiday,” arguing that celebrating this day indicates a surrender for white individuals. His statements have prompted significant backlash, including from members of Congress.
Controversial Statements and Backlash
The Trump administration has defended Carl, with White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly asserting that he is “highly qualified” for the position. However, Carl’s history of inflammatory remarks continues to overshadow his nomination. In December, he labeled Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as “unqualified,” claiming her nomination was based solely on race and gender. He has also expressed beliefs in anti-white racism, criticizing those he believes support it.
Carl has been a vocal advocate for the Great Replacement theory, which alleges that white populations in the U.S. are being replaced by non-white individuals. He has referred to this demographic shift as a form of “cultural genocide.” His remarks on this topic have drawn condemnation for promoting racial division and fear.
Senator Chuck Schumer from New York has been particularly vocal in his opposition to Carl, stating that his views “plainly disqualify” him from a diplomatic role. Schumer emphasized that no individual who promotes harmful stereotypes or minimizes the Holocaust should be considered for such an important position.
Carl’s controversial views extend to his perspectives on antisemitism. He has appeared to justify historical Jewish persecution and has made derogatory remarks about the Jewish community, suggesting they should “get over the Holocaust.” These comments have further fueled concerns regarding his suitability for a role that involves significant diplomatic engagement.
Calls for Rejection of Nomination
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations has called on committee leaders, Senator James Risch and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, to reject Carl’s nomination. They argue that his history of inflammatory comments suggests he will not be an effective advocate in a diplomatic position, and that such rhetoric should disqualify him from consideration.
As the Senate hearing approaches, Carl’s statements and actions continue to raise questions about his fitness for the role of Assistant Secretary of State. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for U.S. diplomatic relations and the administration’s stance on critical issues such as immigration and human rights.
