U.S. President Donald Trump, in a significant foreign policy shift signed an executive order on Tuesday, formally withdrawing the United States from several United Nations bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The decision marks a continuation of Trump’s “America First” agenda and raises questions about the future of U.S. engagement with multilateral organizations.

The executive order ends U.S. participation in the UNHRC, a 47-member body tasked with reviewing global human rights records and investigating alleged violations. The U.S. had already concluded its latest term on the council on December 31, 2024, leaving it with observer status before this latest withdrawal.

Additionally, the U.S. has formally exited UNRWA, the primary aid agency for Palestinian refugees, which has played a critical role in humanitarian efforts in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East. The Trump administration also announced a review of its involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), an organization the U.S. had previously exited during Trump’s first term but rejoined under President Joe Biden.

The White House justified the move by citing concerns over “anti-American bias” within these organizations and the disproportionate financial contributions made by the U.S. compared to other member states. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf highlighted the “wild disparities” in U.S. funding, stating, “It should be funded by everybody, but we’re disproportionate, as we always seem to be.”

President Trump has long criticized U.S. financial commitments to multilateral organizations, arguing that other nations should contribute more. This stance aligns with his previous efforts to reform NATO funding during his first term.

Trump’s withdrawal from UNRWA aligns with Israel’s long-standing opposition to the agency, which it has accused of spreading anti-Israel propaganda and maintaining ties to Hamas. The Biden administration had previously suspended U.S. funding to UNRWA in January 2024 after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. While independent investigations identified some neutrality-related issues within UNRWA, they did not substantiate Israel’s primary claims. Many Western nations resumed funding, but the Trump administration has now severed ties completely.

This is not the first time President Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from international bodies. 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) (later rejoined by Biden)
– The Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA)

Now, in his latest term, Trump appears to be doubling down on his “America First” foreign policy approach, prioritizing U.S. sovereignty and financial independence over multilateral cooperation.

The withdrawal from these UN bodies has sparked debate about the future of U.S. leadership on the global stage. Critics argue that the move undermines international cooperation on critical issues such as human rights, humanitarian aid, and education. Supporters, however, view it as a necessary step to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used effectively and that international organizations operate without bias.