Trump Signs Executive Order Withdrawing from UN Human Rights Council and UNRWA

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump took decisive action by signing an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from both the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). In his statement, Trump highlighted that U.S. funding to the UN is disproportionately high, a sentiment that has been a point of contention for the administration.

Trump emphasized the initial U.S. role in establishing the United Nations after World War II, with the goal of preventing global conflicts. However, he expressed frustration that several UN agencies have diverged from this mission, pursuing actions that, according to the administration, run counter to U.S. interests. The president specifically called out the UN's actions, which he claimed have included undermining American allies and promoting anti-Semitism.

Trump’s executive order particularly scrutinized the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides aid to Palestinian refugees. The order noted concerns about the infiltration of terrorist organizations within the agency, including reports that employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. As a result, the U.S. will halt funding to the agency, with executive departments and agencies instructed to cease financial contributions or grants to UNRWA.

Additionally, the UNHRC came under fire in the order for its failure to hold human rights abusers accountable. The U.S. has long been critical of the council, accusing it of allowing human rights violators to shield themselves from scrutiny while engaging in biased actions, particularly regarding Israel.

This withdrawal marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, signaling further disengagement from international bodies that Trump and his administration have deemed ineffective or biased. The move aligns with Trump’s “America First” policy, which has prioritized reducing U.S. involvement in multilateral agreements and organizations.

Trump’s decision is likely to have long-term implications for U.S.-UN relations and the effectiveness of UN agencies in addressing global issues such as human rights and humanitarian aid. It also puts additional pressure on other nations, particularly U.S. allies, to reassess their positions on these international bodies.