On January 22, 2026, the U.S. officially withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), after President Donald Trump signaled it a year ago when he first took office, through an executive order.
Senior officials describe the organization as being too centered around China during the pandemic. This withdrawal has left the WHO without one of its biggest donors. Tons of U.S. resources were delegated to the WHO, like personnel, contractors, and office buildings. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio even stated, according to a BBC report, that the organization “abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States.”
In response to this, many have criticized President Trump, saying that in the event of a future pandemic, the U.S. may not have the support or resources needed to keep citizens safe and protected. The WHO also issued a statement on their official website, stating, “WHO therefore regrets the United States notification of withdrawal…a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe.” WHO lawyers have also argued that the U.S. is still obligated to pay its $260 million in dues, which President Trump strongly opposes.
Many critics argue that instead of the U.S. taking accountability for its own mishandling and shortcomings of the pandemic, it is shifting the blame to the WHO and its threat to the United States’ sovereignty.
