Executive Order 14155
Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization
Signed on January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14155, formally beginning the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This order revokes the previous administration’s decision to remain in the WHO and halts U.S. financial contributions, personnel involvement, and cooperation with the organization. The order claims that the WHO mishandled global health crises, is politically compromised, and places an undue financial burden on the United States.
🔗 Read the Executive Order on the Federal Register
🔗 Read the White House Announcement
What You Should Know
The United States is cutting ties with the world’s leading public health organization.
The WHO coordinates global health responses, provides early warnings about disease outbreaks, and facilitates international cooperation to fight pandemics. By leaving the WHO, the U.S. is isolating itself from the world’s primary health network, reducing its access to critical global disease surveillance and emergency response resources. This decision will make it harder for the U.S. to coordinate responses to global health threats and could delay access to medical research, vaccines, and treatments.
This decision is based on misinformation and political scapegoating.
The order claims that the WHO mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and is under undue political influence, yet fails to acknowledge that the organization played a key role in coordinating vaccine distribution and global pandemic response efforts. Trump previously attempted to withdraw from the WHO in 2020, but his decision was blocked due to a lack of congressional support. His renewed push to leave is based on long-debunked claims that the WHO is controlled by China, despite the U.S. historically playing a leading role in shaping WHO policies.
U.S. public health agencies will lose access to crucial global disease data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other U.S. health agencies rely on the WHO for real-time disease tracking, research collaboration, and vaccine distribution. Withdrawing from the WHO will cut off U.S. scientists and public health officials from critical international partnerships, making it more difficult to prevent and respond to future health emergencies.
The financial argument for withdrawal is misleading.
Trump claims that the WHO places an unfair financial burden on the United States, but the U.S. voluntarily contributes more because it has historically played a leadership role in global health. The U.S. contributes around $400 million annually to the WHO—less than 0.01% of the federal budget. This funding helps prevent global disease outbreaks that could ultimately threaten U.S. public health and economy. Cutting off WHO funding will not reduce healthcare costs for Americans but will weaken global disease prevention efforts, increasing the likelihood of future pandemics.
Global health security is at risk.
The WHO helps coordinate global vaccination programs, combat infectious diseases, and ensure developing nations have access to medical resources. By withdrawing, the U.S. weakens international efforts to contain emerging diseases, increasing the risk of global health crises that could reach American shores. The WHO has been instrumental in eradicating diseases like smallpox and controlling Ebola outbreaks—efforts that will become harder without U.S. support.
Who Wins?
Isolationists and anti-globalist political factions
Trump’s decision appeals to nationalist and anti-globalist political movements that oppose U.S. involvement in international organizations. By withdrawing from the WHO, he reinforces his administration’s narrative of rejecting global cooperation in favor of an “America First” approach, even at the cost of public health and global stability.
Private healthcare and pharmaceutical companies
Without the WHO’s influence on global health initiatives, private companies may gain greater control over vaccine distribution and medical research funding. This shift could lead to increased drug prices, reduced global access to essential medicines, and a prioritization of corporate profits over public health needs.
Foreign governments seeking to expand their influence in global health policy
With the U.S. no longer involved in the WHO, countries like China and Russia will have greater influence over global health policies. The absence of U.S. leadership in global health decision-making opens the door for other nations to shape international public health standards, potentially in ways that do not align with U.S. interests.
Who Loses?
The American public
U.S. citizens will be more vulnerable to pandemics and global health threats due to reduced access to international disease surveillance and emergency response coordination. The absence of WHO cooperation could delay vaccine availability, limit disease prevention measures, and undermine the ability to respond effectively to future health crises.
U.S. public health agencies and scientific researchers
The CDC, NIH, and other federal health agencies rely on the WHO for critical research collaborations, data sharing, and policy coordination. Losing access to WHO resources will hinder U.S. efforts to combat infectious diseases, develop new medical treatments, and prepare for future pandemics.
Developing countries relying on U.S. support for health initiatives
The U.S. is one of the largest funders of WHO-led global health programs, including vaccination campaigns, maternal health services, and infectious disease control efforts. Cutting U.S. contributions to the WHO will leave millions of people in low-income countries without essential healthcare resources, increasing the spread of preventable diseases worldwide.
Global health stability and pandemic preparedness
The WHO plays a vital role in responding to global health emergencies, including coordinating international responses to disease outbreaks. The U.S. withdrawal weakens the WHO’s ability to manage global pandemics, increasing the risk of uncontrolled disease spread and making the world less prepared for future health crises.
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO is a reckless move that prioritizes political posturing over public health. The WHO, while not perfect, provides essential services that help protect the U.S. and the world from deadly disease outbreaks. Leaving the WHO isolates the U.S. from international health collaboration, weakens pandemic preparedness, and puts American lives at risk.
This is another example of Trump’s administration using misinformation to justify dangerous policy decisions. The claim that the WHO is politically compromised ignores the fact that the U.S. has historically been one of the organization’s most influential members. Cutting off funding and participation does not reform the WHO—it simply weakens global health security and leaves the U.S. without a seat at the table in shaping international health policies.
Take Action
Demand congressional intervention to prevent the United States from fully withdrawing from the World Health Organization.
Congress has the authority to influence international agreements and funding allocations, and public pressure can push lawmakers to take action. Calling, emailing, and meeting with representatives can help build momentum for legislative measures to maintain U.S. participation in the WHO. Advocacy from constituents makes it clear that global health cooperation is a priority and that decisions based on misinformation should not dictate national policy.
Support global health organizations that provide essential medical services and disease prevention programs.
With the U.S. pulling funding from the WHO, other organizations will need increased support to continue delivering healthcare resources to vulnerable populations. Groups like Doctors Without Borders, the Global Fund, and the CDC Foundation work to control infectious diseases, distribute vaccines, and respond to medical emergencies worldwide. Direct contributions and advocacy for continued funding of these efforts can help mitigate the harm caused by this executive order.
Stay informed and challenge misinformation about the World Health Organization and global health initiatives.
Misinformation is being used to justify the withdrawal from the WHO, despite the organization’s critical role in global health security. Spreading factual, science-based information can help counter false claims that the WHO is corrupt or ineffective. Engaging in discussions, sharing credible sources, and fact-checking misleading narratives are essential to ensuring that public health remains a priority over political rhetoric.
Public health should never be a political tool. The world is more connected than ever, and cooperation is critical to preventing and controlling global health crises. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO endangers not only Americans but people across the world. Stay informed, fact-check claims, and take action to support science-based public health policies.
