EO 14198: Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations

Executive Orders

TLDR

This executive order withdraws the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council, prohibits UNRWA funding, and mandates reviews of UNESCO membership and other international commitments, citing concerns over UNRWA employee ties to Hamas and UNHRC’s perceived bias.

This executive order represents a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding participation in key UN organizations.

Key Actions

Immediate Withdrawals

  • The U.S. is withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
  • All funding to UNRWA is prohibited
  • The office of U.S. Representative to UNHRC will be terminated

Required Reviews

  • A 90-day review of U.S. membership in UNESCO
  • A 180-day comprehensive review of all U.S. involvement in international organizations, conventions, and treaties

Justification and Context

UNRWA Concerns

  • Evidence shows approximately 1,200 UNRWA employees (10% of Gaza workforce) have ties to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
  • UNRWA facilities were used for weapons storage and Hamas tunnel networks
  • Multiple UNRWA employees were allegedly involved in the October 7th attacks

UNHRC Issues

  • The council has been criticized for protecting human rights abusers
  • Shows disproportionate focus on Israel compared to other nations
  • This withdrawal follows a similar action taken in 2018

Impact Analysis

Financial Implications

  • Immediate cessation of UNRWA funding
  • Withholding of U.S. proportionate share of UN Regular Budget funding for UNHRC
  • Potential future funding implications for UNESCO pending review

Diplomatic Consequences

  • Represents a significant withdrawal from major UN institutions
  • May affect U.S. influence in international humanitarian efforts
  • Could impact relationships with UN member states

Claims

The EO suggests these organizations are fundamentally anti-American.

  • Reality: While there are documented issues with UNRWA’s operations, the characterization of these bodies as “anti-American” appears politically motivated rather than evidence-based.

UNRWA is completely compromised by Hamas.

  • Reality: While there is evidence of serious problems with some UNRWA staff, the organization still employs over 30,000 staff across the region, most of whom are not implicated in any wrongdoing.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.

Purpose.

The United States helped found the United Nations (UN) after World War II to prevent future global conflicts and promote international peace and security. But some of the UN’s agencies and bodies have drifted from this mission and instead act contrary to the interests of the UnitedStates while attacking our allies and propagating anti-Semitism. As in 2018, when the United States withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the United States will reevaluate our commitment to these institutions.

Three UN organizations that deserve renewed scrutiny are the UNHRC; the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State (Secretary) as foreign terrorist organizations, and UNRWA employees were involved in the October7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. UNHRC has protected human rights abusers by allowing them to use the organization to shield themselves from scrutiny, while UNESCO has demonstrated failure to reform itself, has continually demonstrated anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade, and has failed to address concerns over mounting arrears.

Sec. 2.

UNHRC and UNESCO Participation.

(a) The United States will not participate in the UNHRC and will not seek election to that body. The Secretary shall terminate the office of United States Representative to the UNHRC and any positions primarily dedicated to supporting the United States Representative to the UNHRC.

(b) The United States will also conduct a review of its membership in UNESCO. This review shall be led by the Secretary, in coordination with the United States Representative to the United Nations (UN Ambassador), and must be completed within 90 days of the date of this order. The review will include an evaluation of how and if UNESCO supports United States interests. In particular, the review will include an analysis of any anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.

Sec. 3.

Funding.

(a) Executive departments and agencies shall not use any funds for a contribution, grant, or other payment to UNRWA, consistent with section 301 of title III, division G, of Public Law 118-47 (March 23, 2024). The Secretary shall withdraw the determination previously made under section 7048©(1) of title VII, division F, of Public Law 118-47. Accordingly, of the funds appropriated for a contribution to the UN Regular Budget under the heading “Contributions to International Organizations” of Public Law 118-47, as most recently continued by Public Law 118-158 (December 21, 2024), the Secretary shall withhold the United States proportionate share of the total annual amount of UN Regular Budget funding for the UNHRC, consistent with section 7048© of title VII, division F, of Public Law 118-47.

(b) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary, in consultation with the UN Ambassador, shall conduct a review of all international intergovernmental organizations of which the United States is a member and provides any type of funding or other support, and all conventions and treaties to which the United States is a party, to determine which organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States and whether such organizations, conventions, or treaties can be reformed. Upon the conclusion of that review, the Secretary shall report the findings to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and provide recommendations as to whether the United States should withdraw from any such organizations, conventions, or treaties.

Sec. 4.

Notification.

The Secretary shall inform the UN Secretary General and the leadership of UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the United States will not fund UNRWA or the UNHRC and that the United States will not satisfy any claims to pay 2025 assessments or prior arrears by these organizations.

Sec. 5.

General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

© This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,