U.S. Ends ‘Blank Check’ Funding to International Bureaucracies, Citing ‘America First’ Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive move signaling a new chapter in American foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States will no longer provide unconditional financial support to international bureaucracies. Speaking on January 10, 2026, Rubio emphasized that the “America First” era means an end to what he described as the outdated model of multilateralism that has long made American taxpayers “the world’s underwriter for a sprawling architecture of global governance.”
Rubio’s announcement follows a presidential memorandum signed by former President Donald Trump last Wednesday, directing the U.S. to withdraw from 66 international organizations deemed wasteful or misaligned with U.S. interests. The directive instructs federal agencies to cease participation and funding of these entities, marking a sweeping effort to reduce America’s financial commitments abroad.
“What we term the ‘international system’ is now overrun with hundreds of opaque international organizations, many with overlapping mandates, duplicative actions, ineffective outputs, and poor financial and ethical governance,” Rubio wrote in a memo published on the State Department’s Substack platform. He criticized these institutions for becoming “inefficient bureaucracies, platforms for politicized activism or instruments contrary to our nation’s best interests.”
Rubio’s remarks underscore a broader skepticism within the administration about the efficacy of traditional multilateral institutions. He argued that continued U.S. involvement in such organizations would be “an abandonment of our national duty,” asserting that many no longer deliver tangible results and instead obstruct meaningful action.
This policy shift does not signal a retreat from global leadership, Rubio clarified. Instead, it reflects a strategic recalibration away from what the administration views as an outdated model of international cooperation. The United States aims to engage with the world on terms that prioritize American interests and fiscal responsibility.
The withdrawal order is the culmination of a review initiated by a February 2025 presidential directive, which tasked Rubio and the U.S. representative to the United Nations with evaluating all international intergovernmental organizations, conventions, and treaties involving the U.S. The review sought to identify entities that no longer align with American priorities.
This development comes amid ongoing debates over the role of the United States in global governance and the financial burdens associated with participation in multilateral institutions. The U.S. Department of State has framed the decision as a necessary step to curb wasteful spending and ensure that American contributions support effective and accountable international efforts.
Critics of the policy warn that disengagement could weaken U.S. influence on the world stage and diminish cooperation on pressing global challenges. However, supporters argue that the move restores fiscal discipline and reasserts national sovereignty.
The United Nations, headquartered in New York City, remains a focal point of this debate. While the U.S. has historically been a major contributor to the U.N. and its affiliated agencies, the administration’s decision to cut funding to select organizations signals a more selective approach to international engagement. More information about the U.N. and its operations can be found on the United Nations official website.
As the U.S. recalibrates its foreign policy, the impact on global governance structures will be closely monitored. The White House has emphasized that this approach aligns with the broader “America First” agenda, which prioritizes American taxpayers and national interests in international affairs.
For further details on U.S. participation in international organizations and the ongoing policy review, the public can refer to official releases from the State Department and the White House. This shift marks a significant moment in U.S. diplomacy, reflecting evolving attitudes toward global cooperation and fiscal stewardship.
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