America First at the UN: Trump and Rubio Get It Right

President Trump has never shied away from doing what Washington insiders deem “unthinkable.” Once again, he’s proven why he shattered the status quo. By refusing to grant visas to Palestinian Authority leaders ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, his administration - in this case, most notably Secretary Marco Rubio -  delivered precisely the kind of clarity and conviction that has been missing from U.S. foreign policy. And there are signs that this is only the beginning - other rogue entities and states have been put on notice.

For decades, U.S. officials treated the PA like a legitimate peace partner, even as its leaders glorified violence, rewarded terrorists with stipends, and used international platforms to vilify America and Israel. They turned the UN stage into a propaganda forum, all while siphoning diplomatic goodwill and offering their people little chance for genuine progress. This mockery has been consistently highlighted and exposed on the CPAC stage for many years. 

By saying “no visa,” the Trump administration did something deceptively simple: it stopped confusing courtesy with capitulation. Diplomacy is vital—but not when it means amplifying falsehoods. As the State Department explained last week in a statement:

“Before the PLO and PA can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently repudiate terrorism, lawfare campaigns at the ICC and ICJ, and the pursuit of unilateral recognition of statehood.” 

That honesty is refreshing in a world too quick to grant legitimacy through recognition alone.

The usual chorus of diplomatic alarmists—claiming that any engagement, even if hollow, is better than none—has been predictable. But it’s precisely that posture that has trapped the region in endless impasse. Trump and Rubio are rewriting the rulebook. They’re saying: respect for America isn’t automatic—it must be earned.

That’s what America First looks like in action. It means asserting that our sovereignty isn’t negotiable, our allies aren’t optional, and our values aren’t for sale. It means showing the world that our strength is most potent when wielded with conviction.

This decision doesn’t close the door to peace — it resets it. If Palestinian leaders want to reclaim credibility, they must turn away from incitement, abandon unilateral showmanship, and commit to building a real foundation for their people’s future.

Until then, America has spoken: our values, our allies, and our security come first. That’s leadership.