President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, directing federal agencies to stop participating in or funding entities deemed contrary to American interests. The move follows a State Department review under Executive Order 14199 and targets 35 non-United Nations organizations and 31 United Nations-related entities. Administration officials frame the action as a return to sovereignty and a refusal to bankroll institutions that no longer deliver for the American people.
This memorandum rejects the status quo where U.S. resources underwrite global institutions that often pursue priorities at odds with American citizens. It instructs executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate those withdrawals to the extent permitted by law, with particular emphasis on stopping funding and participation. For United Nations entities, the practical effect is a winding down of engagement and financial support where legal constraints allow.
The administration relied on a State Department review and Secretary Rubio’s findings in deciding which bodies to exit, concluding many were failing taxpayers. The memorandum says it is “contrary to the interests of the U.S. to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support” to the organizations listed. That blunt wording sends a clear signal that American policy will prioritize tangible returns and national sovereignty over automatic multilateral loyalty.
This is framed as part of a consistent America First strategy: stop sending taxpayer dollars overseas when outcomes don’t match the investment. The list covers areas like climate, energy, development, governance, migration and gender policy—spheres where past U.S. involvement often meant funding agendas unpopular at home. The administration promises review of additional bodies to make sure future engagement actually benefits American families and businesses.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed the political case sharply, announcing the departure as a fulfillment of a key presidential commitment. “Today, President Trump announced the U.S. is leaving 66 anti-American, useless, or wasteful international organizations,” Rubio said in a post on X. “Review of additional international organizations remains ongoing.”
Rubio argued the institutions were often redundant, mismanaged, or captured by foreign interests that do not share our priorities or respect our sovereignty. “It is no longer acceptable to be sending these institutions the blood, sweat, and treasure of the American people, with little to nothing to show for it,” Rubio said. “The days of billions of dollars in taxpayer money flowing to foreign interests at the expense of our people are over.”
Beyond the rhetoric, the memorandum kicks off practical implementation tasks for agencies that won’t be easy but are necessary under the administration’s view. Departments must review legal obligations, adjust diplomatic postures, and plan an orderly unwind of programs where possible, while protecting U.S. interests tied to security and trade. Officials say the goal isn’t isolation but selective cooperation where partnership delivers measurable benefits to Americans.
That selective approach is central to the administration’s line: engagement, yes, but only when it serves the American people. “We will not continue expending resources, diplomatic capital, and the legitimizing weight of our participation in institutions that are irrelevant to or in conflict with our interests,” Rubio said. “We seek cooperation where it serves our people and will stand firm where it does not.”
Removing ties will provoke debate in Washington and among partners who relied on U.S. leadership and funding, but the administration frames this as correcting an imbalance. The message is simple: American sovereignty and taxpayers come first, and global institutions will need to demonstrate real value if they expect continued U.S. support. The State Department and White House say more reviews are underway to identify other organizations that should face scrutiny.
