UNITED NATIONS, United States: The United Nations’ top human rights official, a sharp critic of US President Donald Trump, declared Wednesday that he will not tone down his message to seek re-election in his post, reports AFP.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told staff in an email he would not bargain away his agency’s integrity when his job comes up for renewal in August.

Earlier this week, in an interview with AFP, the Jordanian prince had rejected the idea of “wheeling and dealing” with political players to secure a second four-year term in Geneva.

And in an email to staff, seen by AFP, he wrote: “After reflection, I have decided not to seek a second four-year term” adding that “in the current geo-political context,” to stay “might involve bending a knee in supplication; muting a statement of advocacy.”

Hussein did not mention Trump by name, but he has reportedly been under pressure from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to tone down his human rights criticism of Washington.

Even as Hussein’s email became public, Trump was threatening to cut off US funding to countries that vote against his Israel policy at a UN General Assembly emergency session on Thursday.

During Trump’s election campaign, Hussein had blasted the political newcomer’s populist promise to ban Muslims from visiting or migrating to the United States as “grossly irresponsible.”

In August, Hussein took a swipe at Trump over his depiction of media reports as “fake news,” saying it could amount to incitement against journalists.

He compared the US president to a bus driver “careening down a mountain path.”

From a human rights perspective, he said, “it seems to be reckless driving.”