The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending nearly 78 years of membership in the United Nations' specialized health agency, U.S. officials announced on January 22, 2026.
The departure took effect on that date, precisely one year after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14155 on his first day in office—January 20, 2025—initiating the withdrawal process. Under WHO rules and the terms of U.S. notification, a one-year notice period was required, during which the United States ceased all funding contributions, recalled personnel, and began transitioning global health activities away from the organization.
In a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary of State Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared: "Today, the United States withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), freeing itself from its constraints, as President Trump promised on his first day in office by signing E.O. 14155. This action responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people. Promises made, promises kept."
The officials accused the WHO of mishandling the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, by delaying critical information sharing, repeating inaccurate data from Beijing, and allowing political influences—particularly from nations perceived as hostile to U.S. interests—to shape its responses. They further criticized the agency for pursuing a "politicized and bureaucratic agenda," failing to implement urgently needed reforms, and demonstrating a lack of independence from certain member states.
"Like many international organizations, the WHO abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States," the statement continued. Going forward, U.S. engagement with the WHO will be strictly limited to finalizing the withdrawal logistics and protecting American public health. All U.S. funding and staffing of WHO programs have been terminated, with resources redirected toward "direct, bilateral, and results-driven partnerships" with other countries and trusted institutions. The U.S. aims to maintain leadership in global health security through transparent, efficient models focused on preventing infectious threats from reaching American shores while sharing best practices bilaterally.
President Trump has long criticized the WHO, dating back to his first term when he accused the agency of being overly deferential to China during the pandemic's onset. He highlighted what he called an unfair financial burden, noting that the U.S. contributed significantly more than other nations—including China—without commensurate influence or accountability. Trump labeled the WHO's early pandemic actions, such as downplaying human-to-human transmission risks and criticizing U.S. travel restrictions from China as "racist," as evidence of bias and incompetence.
The withdrawal fulfills a campaign promise Trump reiterated upon returning to office. During the one-year transition, the U.S. halted payments (previously accounting for roughly 15-20% of the WHO's budget in assessed and voluntary contributions), withdrew American staff from WHO headquarters in Geneva and field offices, and pivoted collaborative efforts—such as disease surveillance, vaccine development support, and emergency response coordination—to independent or bilateral channels.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed deep regret over the decision, describing it as a "lose-lose" situation for both the United States and the global community. In statements leading up to and following the effective date, Tedros emphasized that the withdrawal undermines collective efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats worldwide. He reiterated that the WHO has saved countless lives through initiatives like polio eradication, maternal and child health programs, and pandemic preparedness, and that losing the U.S.—a founding member and historically the largest contributor—weakens these endeavors.
The WHO was established on April 7, 1948, with the United States as one of the original signatories to its constitution in 1946 and formal ratification in June 1948. As a founding member, the U.S. played a pivotal role in shaping the agency's mission to promote global health, coordinate responses to epidemics, and set international health standards. Over decades, American involvement supported landmark achievements, including smallpox eradication in 1980 and ongoing campaigns against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and emerging infectious diseases.
This marks the second time Trump has attempted to exit the WHO; a similar withdrawal was initiated in 2020 during his first term but reversed by the Biden administration in 2021. The current process, however, has proceeded without reversal, amid broader Trump administration moves to reevaluate U.S. participation in various international bodies.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters, including administration officials, argue it liberates the U.S. from an inefficient bureaucracy and allows more agile, America-first approaches to health security. Critics, including global health experts, warn of potential gaps in international disease surveillance, reduced U.S. influence on global standards (such as those for pandemics or antimicrobial resistance), and challenges in coordinating responses to cross-border threats like influenza strains or novel pathogens.
A point of contention remains outstanding U.S. dues. The WHO contends that withdrawal is not fully complete until arrears—estimated at around $260-278 million for 2024 and 2025—are settled, per its financial regulations. U.S. officials have stated no further payments will be made, asserting that pandemic-related costs already imposed excessive burdens. This has led to disputes, including reports of the U.S. flag being removed from WHO headquarters in Geneva, with accusations that the organization is withholding it pending payment.
As the U.S. shifts focus to bilateral partnerships—potentially strengthening ties with allies for joint research, rapid response networks, and health diplomacy—the long-term implications for global health governance remain uncertain. The withdrawal removes a major player from multilateral forums like the World Health Assembly, potentially shifting dynamics toward other influential members such as China or the European Union.
For now, U.S. public health agencies like the CDC and NIH will continue domestic and select international work independently, emphasizing self-reliance in surveillance and innovation. The move underscores ongoing debates over multilateralism versus national sovereignty in addressing transnational challenges.
