The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, fulfilling a promise made by President Trump on his first day in office. The withdrawal was carried out through an executive order signed by President Trump, aiming to free the US from what officials described as the organization’s constraints.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the move responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The US accused the WHO of abandoning its core mission and acting against American interests, despite the US being a founding member and the organization’s largest financial contributor.
The administration criticized the WHO for pursuing a politicized agenda and failing to ensure timely and accurate information sharing during the pandemic. It was mentioned that these failures might have led to American lives being lost and were later concealed under the guise of acting in the interest of public health.
US engagement with the WHO will now be limited to completing the withdrawal process and safeguarding the health and safety of Americans. All US funding for and staffing of WHO initiatives has ceased. The US plans to lead global public health efforts through direct partnerships and cooperation with trusted health institutions.
