Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially ordered the United States to leave the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump announced this decision shortly after his inauguration, criticizing the WHO for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises.

He accused the organization of being influenced by political agendas and claimed the U.S. was unfairly paying more than countries like China. Trump stated, “The World Health Organization has taken advantage of the United States for too long. This ends now.”

The withdrawal will take effect in 12 months, and the U.S. will immediately stop financial contributions to the WHO. Trump also ordered U.S. personnel working with the organization to be recalled and reassigned. Additionally, the U.S. will halt all negotiations on the WHO’s pandemic treaty during the withdrawal process.

This is not Trump’s first attempt to leave the WHO. In 2020, during his first term, he accused the organization of helping China mislead the world about the origins of COVID-19. The WHO denied the accusations and continues to demand more data from China to determine the true origin of the virus, whether it came from animals or a lab.

Health experts warn that the U.S. departure could harm key WHO programs, leaving a gap in global health initiatives and support.