Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling on the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2020, Trump began pushing for the U.S. to withdraw from U.N. agencies, but President Joe Biden reversed course after taking office in 2021.
"The United States intends to withdraw from the World Health Organization. Presidential letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, signed on January 20, 2021, rescinding the United States' July 6, 2020 notice of withdrawal," Trump's order states.
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President Donald Trump attends a signing ceremony in the Chamber of Presidents at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, following his inauguration on January 20, 2025 (Melina Marra-Pool/Getty Images)
"The Secretary of State shall immediately notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations, any other applicable depository authority, and the leadership of the World Health Organization of the withdrawal," the order directs.
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Trump’s order requires the Secretary of State and Director of the Office of Management and Budget to “pause any future transfer of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the WHO”; “recall and reassign U.S. government personnel or contractors working with the WHO in any capacity” suppliers;” and “Identify credible and transparent U.S. and international partners to undertake necessary activities before WHO.”
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The World Health Organization issued a statement on Tuesday expressing regret for Trump's decision and saying it hoped the United States would reconsider the move.
"The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organization," the globalist body noted. "We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to a constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the United States and WHO to benefit the health and well-being of millions of people around the world."
Trump signed a series of orders after taking office on Monday.
One of them declared that U.S. policy “recognizes both sexes, male and female,” which “is irrevocable and is based on basic, indisputable realities.”
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Trump is only the second president in U.S. history to win two non-consecutive terms - the first was Grover Cleveland in the 19th century.
Fox News’ Chad Pegram contributed to this report