In a significant foreign policy decision, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from several United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The order, issued on Tuesday, also mandates a review of U.S. funding to the UN, with the White House citing concerns over what it calls “anti-American bias” within the organization.
End of U.S. Participation in UNHRC and UNRWA
With this executive order, the U.S. formally ends its involvement in the UNHRC, a 47-member body responsible for assessing global human rights records and investigating violations. The U.S. had already lost its voting rights after its term expired on December 31, 2024, leaving it with only observer status before this latest withdrawal.
Trump’s decision also severs ties with UNRWA, which provides aid and relief services to Palestinian refugees. The move aligns with Israel’s long-standing criticism of UNRWA, accusing it of anti-Israel bias and links to militant groups.
Additionally, the Trump administration announced a review of U.S. involvement in UNESCO, the UN’s cultural and educational body. The U.S. had previously exited UNESCO during Trump’s first term but later rejoined under President Joe Biden.
Financial Concerns and “America First” Policy
Explaining the decision, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf pointed to the disproportionate U.S. financial contributions to the UN compared to other member states.
“It should be funded by everybody, but we’re disproportionate, as we always seem to be,” Trump stated, reaffirming his long-standing criticism of multilateral organizations.
Trump has previously pushed for other countries to increase their financial commitments to international institutions, a stance that also influenced his efforts to reform NATO’s funding structure during his first term.
Background: UNRWA Controversy and Western Response
The Biden administration had already halted U.S. funding to UNRWA in January 2024 after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Although independent reviews found some neutrality-related issues within the agency, they did not confirm Israel’s primary allegations. Several Western nations resumed funding, but Trump’s executive order now ensures a permanent U.S. withdrawal from UNRWA.
Trump’s Previous UN Withdrawals
Trump’s latest move continues a pattern of withdrawing the U.S. from global agreements and organizations. During his first term (2017–2021), he pulled the U.S. out of:
- The Paris Climate Accord
- The World Health Organization (WHO)
- The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (which Biden later rejoined)
- The Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA)
With his renewed focus on an “America First” foreign policy, Trump appears committed to reducing U.S. involvement in international institutions, prioritizing national interests over multilateral engagement.
