This Executive Order establishes a significant policy shift regarding U.S. participation in and funding for several United Nations organizations. The order asserts that while the United States helped found the UN after World War II to prevent global conflicts and promote international peace and security, certain UN agencies have "drifted from this mission" and now act contrary to U.S. interests, "attack" U.S. allies, and "propagate anti-Semitism." The order specifically targets three organizations for scrutiny: the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UNESCO, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It claims that UNRWA has been "reportedly infiltrated by members of...foreign terrorist organizations" with employees allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, while characterizing the UNHRC as protecting human rights abusers and UNESCO as demonstrating "anti-Israel sentiment."
The order implements immediate withdrawal from the UNHRC, terminating the office of the U.S. Representative to that body and all supporting positions. It also mandates a 90-day review of U.S. membership in UNESCO, to be led by the Secretary of State in coordination with the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, specifically evaluating whether UNESCO supports U.S. interests and analyzing for "any anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment." Regarding funding, the order directs all executive departments and agencies to cease any contributions to UNRWA, consistent with Public Law 118-47. It further instructs the Secretary of State to withhold the U.S. proportionate share of UN Regular Budget funding for the UNHRC. Beyond these specific organizations, the order requires a comprehensive 180-day review of all international organizations, conventions, and treaties to which the U.S. belongs or provides support.
Implementation responsibility falls primarily to the Secretary of State, who must notify the UN Secretary General and leadership of the affected organizations about funding cessation and the U.S. refusal to pay any 2025 assessments or prior arrears. Following the broader 180-day review of international commitments, the Secretary must report findings to the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, with recommendations for potential additional withdrawals from organizations deemed "contrary to the interests of the United States." The order specifies that implementation must be consistent with applicable law and subject to available appropriations, while explicitly stating it creates no enforceable rights against the United States. By framing these actions as necessary corrections to perceived mission drift and anti-American or anti-Israeli sentiment within international organizations, the order signals a significant reorientation of U.S. multilateral engagement and funding priorities.