Withdrawing the United States From and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing united States Support to All International Organizations
Honest Title:
US Cuts UN Aid: "America First"
Summary
The order halts US participation in the UNHRC and reviews UNESCO membership due to anti-Israel bias. It cuts funding to UNRWA, citing terrorist ties, and mandates a review of US involvement in international bodies to ensure alignment with US interests.
Updates
Consolidated Updates: Executive Order on US Withdrawal from UN Organizations
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February 3, 2025: News outlets (Politico, NPR) reported that President Trump was expected to issue an executive order on Tuesday, February 4th, withdrawing the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and halting funding to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees). Executive Order signed to withdraw the United States from certain United Nations organizations and end their funding. (Source: White House Website)
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February 4, 2025: President Trump signed the Executive Order WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM AND ENDING FUNDING TO CERTAIN UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS AND REVIEWING UNITED STATES SUPPORT TO ALL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. This order officially withdraws the US from the UNHRC, initiates a review of UNESCO membership, and cuts funding to UNRWA. It also mandates a broad review of US funding for all international intergovernmental organizations. (Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-and-ending-funding-to-certain-united-nations-organizations-and-reviewing-united-states-support-to-all-international-organizations/)
- The order directs the Secretary of State to inform the UN Secretary General and the leadership of UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the United States will not fund UNRWA or the UNHRC and that the United States will not satisfy any claims to pay 2025 assessments or prior arrears by these organizations.
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February 4, 2025: The UN is anticipating significant funding cuts due to the US withdrawal. (Source: DuckDuckGo search)
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February 4, 2025: Palestine Liberation Organization's Hussein al-Sheikh criticizes the defunding of UNRWA as particularly harmful given the current context.
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February 4, 2025: The New York Times highlights the uncertainty the executive order casts on the US's leadership role in the UN.
Imagine countries are like kids in a school, and the United Nations (UN) is like a club they all join to help each other. This paper is about the US, like one of those kids, changing how much it wants to be in the club.
Key Actions and What They Mean
This paper says the US will stop helping some parts of the UN. Here's what that means:
- No More Money for UNRWA: Imagine a group that gives food and medicine to kids who don't have homes. The US is stopping its money to this group because they think some people in the group are bad.
- Real Impact: It's like taking away the food from those kids. They might not have enough to eat or get sick more easily. This could make things worse for them.
- Leaving the UN Human Rights Council: This group is like a police force for the world, making sure everyone is treated fairly. The US is leaving because they think it doesn't do a good job.
- Real Impact: It's like the police leaving the school – then the bullies might start causing more trouble. It might be harder to stop people from being mean to each other.
- Thinking About Leaving UNESCO: This group helps protect old castles and makes sure kids all over the world can go to school. The US is thinking about leaving because they don't like some of the things it does.
- Real Impact: It's like a country stopping its help to fix up old castles or help kids learn.
- Looking at All the Clubs: The US is checking all the groups it's in to see if they are helpful.
- Real Impact: The US might leave more clubs if it doesn't think they are helping it.
Broader Implications
- "America First": The US wants to take care of itself first.
- Weaker Teamwork: If the US leaves these groups, it's like making the club weaker. It's harder for everyone to work together.
- Less Help from the US: Other countries might not listen to the US as much if it doesn't play well with others.
- Is it Okay?: Some people think the President might not be allowed to do all of this without asking other people in the government first.
In Simple Terms
The US is deciding to not be as involved in helping the world as much. It's like a kid who doesn't want to share their toys or play with the other kids anymore. The US thinks it's helping itself, but some people think it might make things worse for everyone in the long run.