Trump orders US withdrawal from 66 international bodies
President Donald Trump signed a directive on January 7, 2026, ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international and UN-affiliated organizations. The memo instructs US agencies to end participation and funding for bodies deemed "contrary to the interests of the United States," including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, UN Women, and the UN Population Fund. The withdrawal process must align with US law and existing funding rules.
This move continues a broader pullback from multilateral institutions that began in 2025. The US had already withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2025, cutting 18% of its funding. WHO faced a nearly $600 million income gap, forcing operational cuts. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also suffered a $58 million shortfall after losing US contributions, leading to a 20% workforce reduction.
The directive implements findings from a review ordered under Executive Order 14199 from February 4, 2025. Secretary of State will lead implementation across all executive departments, with guidance issued for legal and diplomatic steps. The memo clarifies that existing legal authorities and budget processes remain unchanged, and no enforceable rights are created against the US government. Further withdrawals may follow as reviews of other international organizations and agreements continue.