President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, marking one of the most significant rollbacks of American participation in multilateral institutions in recent history.
The decision was announced on Wednesday following the signing of a Presidential Memorandum, according to a White House Fact Sheet dated January 7, 2026.
The directive instructs all US executive departments and agencies to halt participation in and funding for 35 non United Nations organisations and 31 UN related bodies. The administration said the affected institutions no longer align with American national interests, security priorities, or economic objectives.
The White House said the decision followed an extensive review of international organisations, treaties, and conventions supported by the United States. It stated that the move was aimed at ending taxpayer funding for institutions that prioritise global agendas over domestic needs.
According to the administration, many of the organisations promote policies that conflict with US sovereignty and economic strength, including what it described as radical climate initiatives and global governance frameworks.
The White House said American taxpayers have spent billions of dollars supporting the institutions over the years with limited benefits, while some continue to criticise US policies or advance agendas contrary to American values.
Framing the decision as a sovereignty driven move, the administration said the withdrawals would allow resources to be redirected toward domestic priorities such as infrastructure, military readiness, border security, and the protection of American businesses.
The move builds on earlier actions taken since Trump returned to office, including initiating the withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as exiting the UN Human Rights Council.
While critics have warned the decision could weaken US global influence, the White House described it as a strategic recalibration of foreign engagement.
