Washington has drawn a bold line under the era of traditional multilateralism. In a seismic shift, the Trump administration announced its withdrawal from 66 international organizations, branding them wasteful, ineffective, and outright hostile to American interests. This move, formalized just days ago via a presidential memorandum, signals a new chapter in U.S. foreign policy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid bare the flaws in his Substack post, decrying an ‘international system’ bloated with hundreds of opaque bureaucracies. Overlapping mandates, duplicated efforts, feeble outcomes, and shoddy financial and ethical governance have long plagued these bodies, he argued. ‘The days of writing blank checks to international bureaucracies are over,’ Rubio declared.
President Donald Trump greenlit the exits after a rigorous review process assessing each organization’s objectives, operations, efficiency, and alignment with U.S. priorities. Officials described many as superfluous, mismanaged, or influenced by forces undermining American sovereignty, liberty, and prosperity.
Rubio didn’t mince words: funding these entities no longer serves taxpayers or global challenges. ‘It’s unacceptable to pour American sweat and blood into institutions that deliver no results, no accountability, and no respect for our national interests,’ he stated. Continued U.S. involvement, he charged, merely lends undue legitimacy to failed models that falter on affordable energy, economic growth, and national sovereignty.
He spotlighted UN-linked groups as prime culprits. The UN Population Fund faces accusations of bankrolling forced abortions, ethical breaches Rubio called intolerable. UN Women drew fire for failing even to define ‘woman.’ The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change squandered millions on ‘climate alarmist and anti-energy investments’ in the West Bank and Gaza, per Rubio.
Worse still, the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent pushes what he termed ‘openly racist policies’ via reparations advocacy. ‘These organizations’ record is one of consistent failure—if not outright malice,’ Rubio asserted. ‘The American people, our partners, and billions worldwide expecting U.S. leadership deserve better.’
This purge aims to redirect resources toward truly effective diplomacy. As the U.S. charts this independent course, allies and adversaries alike will watch closely for ripple effects on global alliances and problem-solving.