The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, finalizing a process initiated by President Donald Trump through an executive order signed on January 20, 2025.
The Trump administration announced the withdrawal’s completion on January 22, 2026, through the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department, marking one year since formal notice was provided to the United Nations Secretary-General, as required under WHO procedures.
In the original executive order, the White House cited the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to adopt meaningful reforms, concerns over political influence by member states, and financial disparities among contributors as reasons for leaving the organization.
COVID-19 Origins and Transparency Disputes
Administration officials have repeatedly pointed to unresolved questions surrounding the origins of COVID-19 as emblematic of broader concerns with the WHO’s credibility and independence.
Earlier this year, The Dallas Express reported that the WHO urged China to provide additional data and access to key sites to determine the origins of the virus more than five years after the pandemic began. China has denied withholding information and maintains that it cooperated fully with international authorities.
In April 2025, the Trump administration also replaced the Biden-era COVID.gov website with a revised version focused on intelligence assessments supporting the lab leak theory.
The updated site cited intelligence assessments from the Department of Energy and the FBI that concluded COVID-19 most likely originated from a laboratory incident in Wuhan, China, and criticized prior public health messaging surrounding the pandemic.
Pandemic Response and Funding Criticism
According to senior HHS officials, the administration concluded that the WHO “strayed from its core mission” and acted contrary to U.S. public health interests, particularly during the early stages of the pandemic.
Federal officials have criticized the organization for delays in declaring COVID-19 a global health emergency and for opposing certain U.S. actions, including early travel restrictions. The administration has also highlighted financial disparities, noting that China contributes significantly less to the WHO than the United States despite having a larger population.
Withdrawal Process and Next Steps
Under WHO procedures, member states must provide one year’s notice and settle outstanding financial obligations before withdrawal takes effect.
United Nations officials have stated the U.S. owes more than $270 million for the 2024–2025 period, a claim disputed by senior administration officials, who argue the WHO Constitution does not legally obligate payment.
A WHO spokesperson confirmed the U.S. withdrawal is on the agenda for the organization’s upcoming Executive Board meeting in early February.
HHS officials said the United States will continue to engage in global public health through bilateral agreements and existing international partnerships. The department reported it maintains more than 2,000 staff in 63 countries and has health agreements with hundreds of nations.
The administration stated there are no current plans to rejoin the WHO or participate as an observer. It remains unclear whether the U.S. will participate in upcoming WHO-led influenza coordination efforts, which have historically included significant U.S. involvement.
