Trump Orders U.S. Withdrawal from 66 International Organizations in ‘America First’ Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sweeping move underscoring his administration’s “America First” agenda, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on January 7, 2026, ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations. The directive mandates that all executive departments and agencies immediately cease participation in and funding of these entities, which the administration has classified as wasteful, redundant, or contrary to American interests.
The memorandum follows an extensive review initiated earlier this year under Executive Order 14199, conducted by the State Department. According to the White House, the withdrawal affects 35 non-United Nations organizations and 31 United Nations entities. The decision reflects the administration’s broader effort to restore American sovereignty and end taxpayer support for international bodies it views as ineffective or misaligned with U.S. priorities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who played a central role in the review process, publicly endorsed the withdrawals as fulfilling a key campaign promise. In a post on the U.S. Department of State’s official channels, Rubio described the targeted organizations as “anti-American, useless, or wasteful.” He elaborated that many of these institutions were “redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity.”
President Trump’s memorandum directs all executive agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawals as soon as legally possible. For United Nations-affiliated entities, the withdrawal entails ceasing participation and funding to the extent permitted under international agreements and U.S. law. The White House indicated that the review of additional international organizations remains ongoing, suggesting further reductions in U.S. involvement abroad.
The move has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and international cooperation. By retreating from these organizations, the administration aims to prioritize national interests and reduce what it views as inefficient spending. However, critics warn that such withdrawals could undermine global partnerships and diminish American influence on the world stage.
This development comes amid ongoing debates in Congress and among foreign policy experts about the role of multilateral institutions in addressing global challenges. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has been closely monitoring the administration’s actions, with some members expressing concern over the potential diplomatic fallout.
As the U.S. moves forward with these withdrawals, agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State will be tasked with managing the logistical and diplomatic complexities involved. The administration’s approach signals a decisive shift toward unilateralism and a reevaluation of America’s commitments on the international stage.
Observers will be watching closely to see how these changes affect ongoing global initiatives, including peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and international development programs, many of which have historically relied on U.S. participation and funding. The full impact of the withdrawals is expected to unfold over the coming months as agencies implement the president’s directive.
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