Washington ceased funding the World Health Organization and withdrew its staff from all its offices and headquarters. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. also exited various governing bodies and working groups associated with the WHO. At the same time, a senior official from the Department of Health noted that the law does not require the debt to be settled until the exit from the organization.
A joint statement was made by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which they accused the WHO of attempting to collect debts. "Despite the fact that the U.S. was one of the founders and a major financial sponsor of the WHO, the organization acted in a politicized and bureaucratic manner, influenced by countries hostile to American interests," their statement said.
The order to exit the WHO was signed by Donald Trump on the first day of his second presidential term. The president criticized the organization for its inadequate effectiveness in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and for its lack of independence from "inadequate political influence." Another reason for the exit was Trump's claims that U.S. contributions exceeded those of other countries.
