Trump UN aviation nominee supported Democrats, had unpaid taxes
Trump’s Nominee for U.N. Aviation Office Faces Scrutiny Over Tax History, Political Donations
The nominee President Donald Trump selected to serve as ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has come under fire for his tax history and political donations, a Fox News Digital investigation has revealed.
Jeffrey Anderson, a former U.S. Navy veteran and commercial airline captain, was nominated to lead the ICAO in July. The organization, based in Montreal, is responsible for setting global aviation standards related to safety, navigation, and environmental protection. The role had been vacant for three years following the departure of the previous ambassador, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
The Air Line Pilots Association, a union representing nearly 80,000 pilots, opposed Anderson’s nomination, citing his support for raising the mandatory pilot retirement age to 67. The union argued that this move would disrupt flight operations and leave the U.S. as an outlier in the global aviation industry.
Anderson’s political donations have also raised eyebrows, with records showing contributions to Democratic candidates and opponents of President Trump. He donated to Nikki Haley during the 2024 campaign, as well as to Shawn Harris, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Furthermore, Anderson’s tax records reveal over $426,000 in unpaid federal taxes spanning seven years. Critics have raised concerns about his financial responsibility and questioned his alignment with Trump’s America First agenda.
When asked about these issues, Anderson defended himself, stating his full support for President Trump and his agenda. He emphasized his approval by the White House, House Aviation Chair Troy Nehls, and House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves. Anderson expressed his commitment to advancing American interests as the next Permanent Representative to ICAO.
Despite the controversy surrounding his nomination, the White House and Rep. Nehls have voiced their confidence in Anderson’s qualifications. They believe he will play a crucial role in advancing President Trump’s vision for the aviation industry.
The Senate is currently reviewing Anderson’s nomination, with the Committee on Foreign Relations tasked with final confirmation proceedings. As the international aviation community awaits the UN General Assembly’s decision on raising the pilot retirement age, Anderson’s fate as the U.S. ambassador to the ICAO hangs in the balance.
