Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping reduction in American participation in international institutions, ordering the United States to withdraw from dozens of global and United Nations–affiliated organizations. According to an official White House memo, the decision covered 66 entities in total, including 35 non-UN organizations and 31 bodies linked to the United Nations system.

The move marked one of the most significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy engagement in decades and was presented as part of the administration’s broader “America First” strategy. The policy aimed to reassess international commitments in areas such as immigration, public health, climate policy, arms control, trade, and development, with a focus on prioritizing U.S. sovereignty and domestic economic interests.

Among the organizations affected were UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and several agencies connected to global climate initiatives. The United States was also absent from a major U.N. climate summit during this period, the first such absence in nearly 30 years.

The memo stated that withdrawal would involve ending U.S. participation and financial contributions “to the extent permitted by law.” Administration officials argued that some of these institutions promoted what they described as “globalist agendas,” climate policies, and social programs that they believed conflicted with American priorities.

Supporters of the decision said it allowed Washington to redirect taxpayer funds toward programs they viewed as more directly aligned with national interests and security. Critics, however, warned that reducing engagement could diminish U.S. influence on the world stage and weaken international cooperation on issues such as public health, environmental protection, and human rights.

While the scale of the withdrawals was unprecedented, the approach was consistent with earlier actions taken during Trump’s presidency, including steps to leave the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement, and to scale back U.S. involvement in various U.N. bodies.

Person involved: The policy decisions were made and announced by then-President Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States.