Trump orders US withdrawal from World Health Organization
Newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump recently made headlines by signing an executive order that called for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This move marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as Trump had previously initiated steps to extricate the country from the United Nations agency in 2020. However, President Joe Biden reversed course upon taking office in 2021.
In the executive order, Trump declared, “The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO. The Presidential Letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations signed on January 20, 2021, that retracted the United States’ July 6, 2020, notification of withdrawal is revoked.” This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the move and others expressing concern about the implications for global health initiatives.
The order instructed the Secretary of State to inform the United Nations Secretary-General, any other relevant depositary, and the WHO leadership of the withdrawal. It also directed the Secretary of State and the director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause the future transfer of any U.S. Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO, recall and reassign U.S. Government personnel or contractors working with the WHO, and identify alternative partners to take on activities previously carried out by the WHO.
Following the announcement, the U.S. Senate voted 99-0 to confirm Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as Secretary of State. Rubio, who voted for himself before resigning from the Senate, will play a key role in implementing the withdrawal process. The WHO responded to the decision by expressing regret and hoping for a reconsideration by the U.S. government to maintain the partnership for the benefit of global health.
In addition to the WHO withdrawal, Trump signed several other orders on his first day in office. One notable policy declared the recognition of two sexes, male and female, as unchangeable and grounded in fundamental reality. This move was met with both support and criticism from various quarters.
Overall, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and has sparked a global debate on the implications for international health cooperation. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the U.S. will navigate its future relationship with the WHO and other global health organizations.
*This article was written by Alex Nitzberg for Fox News Digital.
