U.S. Officially Leaves World Health Organization

Trump cited the organization's alleged "mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic" as well as "other global health crises."

The U.S. has officially left the World Health Organization after nearly 80 years of membership.

President Trump initiated the removal process in an executive order during the first day of his second term in office last year. He cited the organization’s alleged “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic” as well as “other global health crises.” Trump also complained of “unfairly onerous payments” paid by the U.S. as part of its membership in the international organization.

The WHO is funded through voluntary donations and its member states’ fees, which vary based on each country’s population size and wealth. The executive order contained directions to pause all U.S. funds to the WHO, reassign American contractors working for the organization and seek out other health organizations the U.S. could join instead.