President Trump Orders Immediate US Withdrawal from 66 International Bodies Amid Venezuelan Operation

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a pivotal Memorandum in Washington D.C., mandating the immediate cessation of United States participation and funding for 66 distinct international organizations. This decisive action aligns squarely with the administration’s long-standing America First doctrine. The timing is particularly notable, occurring as international tensions escalate due to the ongoing US operation aimed at securing the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who had nominally held the office since 2013.

The Trump administration justified this sweeping withdrawal by asserting that continued involvement in these multilateral structures directly contravenes the national interests, security posture, economic well-being, or sovereignty of the United States. This move signals a sharp pivot away from global engagement in favor of unilateral national focus.

The executive order compels every relevant executive department and federal agency to terminate all forms of cooperation and financial support to these bodies without delay. A breakdown of the targeted organizations reveals that 31 are affiliated with the United Nations system, while the remaining 35 operate as independent international entities. Officials at the White House contended that a significant number of these groups actively promote policies deemed radical, such as aggressive climate change agendas, global governance frameworks, and ideological platforms that clash fundamentally with Washington’s current priorities.

Among the most high-profile departures are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This decision effectively reinforces the previous administration’s initial withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, signaling a sustained skepticism toward international climate mechanisms. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed this retreat from multilateralism as a necessary refocusing on core national objectives, criticizing these bodies for prioritizing what he termed “progressive” external agendas.

Conversely, analysts expressed concern over the broader implications. Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group observed that the United States is actively disengaging from crucial structures dedicated to upholding international law and fostering global economic development. He specifically pointed to the withdrawal from key bodies like the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and organizations focused on achieving gender equality as evidence of this trend.

The directive necessitates a rapid internal review across the federal bureaucracy to ensure complete compliance with the funding cutoff and the severing of all operational ties. This sweeping directive is set to reshape America’s footprint on the world stage, prioritizing domestic concerns over established international partnerships.