President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions, including some associated with the United Nations that “operate contrary to U.S. national interests,” the White House said in a statement.
“These withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities, or that address important issues inefficiently or ineffectively, such that U.S. taxpayer dollars are best allocated in other ways to support the relevant missions,” the White House said.
The withdrawals are mainly aimed at U.N.-related groups that focus on promoting “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength.”
The Trump administration said it reached its decision following a review of all international intergovernmental organizations, conventions, and treaties in which the U.S. is a participant or member.
The White House declined to provide a list of specified organizations or additional details.
The withdrawals arise following continuous U.S. military efforts and threats that have shaken the international community, including President Trump’s expressed interest in taking over Greenland as well as Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s recent capture.
On Wednesday morning, U.S. forces seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela, in its most recent front to gain hold over the biggest proven reserves of crude oil in the world.
Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, the administration has aimed to cut US funding for the U.N., halted U.S. involvement with the U.N. Human Rights Council, quit U.N. cultural agency UNESCO, and prolonged a freeze on funding the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. Additionally, the Trump administration has declared plans to exit from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord.
