On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council and halting funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He criticized these UN bodies for actions he described as “contrary to the interests of the United States” and for “attacking our allies and propagating anti-Semitism.”
The executive order also mandates a comprehensive review of U.S. involvement and funding across various UN agencies, including UNESCO, to assess their alignment with American interests. This move reflects ongoing concerns about perceived anti-American and anti-Israel biases within certain UN institutions.
These actions are consistent with President Trump’s previous criticisms of the UN. During his first term, the U.S. withdrew from the Human Rights Council in 2018, citing chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform. Additionally, funding for UNRWA was halted amid accusations of the agency harboring Hamas militants, allegations which UNRWA has denied.
The decision to withdraw and reassess funding has significant implications, given that the U.S. contributes approximately 22% of the UN’s budget. Any substantial change in U.S. involvement could profoundly impact the operations and financial stability of various UN programs.
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