In a bold move on Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from several United Nations organizations, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The order also called for a broader review of U.S. financial contributions to the UN, citing concerns over what the administration described as “anti-American bias” within these institutions.
The UN Human Rights Council, composed of 47 member states elected by the General Assembly, reviews human rights practices worldwide. Although the U.S. was already set to conclude its latest term on December 31, this executive order eliminates its remaining involvement—even as an observer.
The Trump administration has long criticized the UNHRC, arguing that it disproportionately targets the U.S. and its allies while allowing countries with questionable human rights records to maintain membership.
Trump’s decision also impacts UNRWA, the primary humanitarian agency for Palestinian refugees. The organization provides essential aid, including food and medical support, to nearly 1.9 million displaced individuals, particularly in war-torn Gaza.
The U.S. had already suspended funding for UNRWA under the Biden administration in early 2024, following Israeli allegations that 12 of its employees were involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
While subsequent investigations uncovered some neutrality concerns, they did not substantiate Israel’s key claims. Despite this, Trump has chosen to maintain a hardline stance, aligning with Israel’s push to dismantle the agency.
Beyond these specific withdrawals, the executive order initiates a broad review of U.S. involvement in the UN. Trump has long argued that the United States bears an unfair financial burden compared to other nations.
“It should be funded by everybody,” Trump stated, emphasizing the “tremendous potential” of the UN while criticizing its management and funding disparities. This move echoes his previous calls for NATO allies to increase their defense spending rather than relying heavily on American contributions.
Trump’s decision to distance the U.S. from multilateral organizations is not new. During his first term, he pulled the country out of the Paris Climate Accord and initiated the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over financial fairness and organizational inefficiencies.