US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that formally withdrew the United States from several United Nations bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The executive order also called for a broader review of American involvement and funding in other UN agencies, such as UNESCO.
This move follows a long-standing criticism from the White House, with staff secretary Will Scharf accusing the UN of displaying “anti-American bias.” The United States had observer status in the UNHRC, but Trump’s decision would effectively end all US participation in the council’s activities, which include reviewing countries’ human rights records and investigating allegations of rights violations.
Trump’s order is also a response to what he perceives as unfair financial contributions to the UN. He has criticized the disproportionate level of US funding, suggesting that other nations should contribute more. “It should be funded by everybody, but we’re disproportionate, as we always seem to be,” he stated, noting the “tremendous potential” of the UN but calling it “not being well run.”
The executive order further highlights the Trump administration’s broader stance of challenging multilateral organizations and reviewing the US’s commitments, echoing previous decisions such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump’s actions toward UNRWA were particularly notable in light of Israel’s accusations that the agency was spreading hate material, leading to the suspension of US funding in January 2024, under President Biden’s administration. However, after investigations, most other donors resumed their contributions.
These actions reflect Trump’s continued efforts to reduce US involvement in international bodies and push for greater equity in global financial obligations.
