Trump Administration Officially Begins United States' Withdrawal From World Health Organization
The Trump administration is pulling the United States out of the World Health Organization, as the country faces record-breaking spikes in coronavirus cases.
A state department official confirmed the move to CNN on Tuesday, stating the White House had submitted a formal notice of withdrawal effective July 6, 2021. The letter was submitted to congressional lawmakers as well as the "UN Secretary-General, who is the depository for the WHO."
Congress received notification that POTUS officially withdrew the U.S. from the @WHO in the midst of a pandemic.
To call Trump’s response to COVID chaotic & incoherent doesn't do it justice. This won't protect American lives or interests—it leaves Americans sick & America alone.— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 7, 2020
President Donald Trump slammed WHO's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in a four-page letter published back in May. POTUS announced the U.S. was suspending funds to the global body as the White House conducted an investigation into WHO's COVID-19 response—specifically accusing WHO of allowing the Chinese government to coverup the severity of the outbreak.
"The World Health Organization failed to independently investigate credible reports that conflicted directly with the Chinese government's official accounts, even those that came from sources within Wuhan itself," he wrote. "Throughout the crisis, the World Health Organization has been curiously insistent on praising China for its alleged 'transparency.' You have consistently joined in these tributes, not withstanding that China has been anything by transparent."
This is the letter sent to Dr. Tedros of the World Health Organization. It is self-explanatory! pic.twitter.com/pF2kzPUpDv
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2020
WHO members ultimately agreed to an independent evaluation of the global coronavirus response.
Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of WHO has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers and top health officials. The U.S. is the largest contributor to WHO, reportedly giving $400 million per year. Experts warned that the U.S.'s withdrawal from the organization would hurt not just Americans, but the entire world, as many other countries rely on WHO as its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This is an abdication of America’s role as a global leader and it is the opposite of putting America first— it will put America at risk," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement to NBC News. "Refusing to work with our partners across the world to fight this pandemic will only prolong the crisis, further undermine our international standing, and leave us less prepared for future crises. President Trump needs to realize this crisis doesn’t recognize borders and hiding from it or passing the blame won’t make it go away or make him any less responsible."
You can read additional reaction's to the White House's notice below.
This decision is irresponsible, reckless, and utterly incomprehensible. Withdrawing from the @WHO in the midst of the greatest public health crisis of our lifetime is a self-destructive move. More Americans will be hurt by this careless choice. https://t.co/OeSoLikR4f
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 7, 2020
The president's decision to leave the @WHO in the middle of a pandemic is ludicrous. It betrays America's traditions of global engagement and further removes us from the world stage.
Isolationism does not put America first. It puts America in danger. https://t.co/lDcbwRjK6a— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) July 7, 2020
The WHO does some good things but is clearly imperfect. Withdrawal, tho, makes no sense, especially in the middle of a pandemic. US should work with others to fix the WHO &/or create a new entity. But just leaving is an empty gesture, not serious policy. https://t.co/zfiYjL08EC
— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) July 7, 2020
Trump has pulled the Unites States out of the World Health Organization.
This is not in anyone's best interest except for Trump to use them as a scapegoat for his failure. We need to rejoin WHO immediately when Biden takes over.— JRehling (@JRehling) July 7, 2020
So we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and the President just took the country out of the World Health Organization.
Cool, cool cool cool, cool.— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) July 7, 2020
BREAKING: Trump has officially withdrawn the US out of the World Health Organization in the midst of the worst pandemic in 102 yrs.
NEWSFLASH. The US had the same information WHO had, yet they DID NOT prepare for COVID.
Trump needs to Withdraw Trump from the White House— Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) July 7, 2020
BREAKING: Trump just officially withdrew the US from the World Health Organization at the height of a pandemic. This is the dumbest f**king thing I've ever heard.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) July 7, 2020
Trump withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization during a pandemic. He's the dumbest fu*k wad ever!!
— 🦋 Sheila 🦋 (@sdr_medco) July 7, 2020
By withdrawing from the World Health Organization, Donald Trump is leaving an even bigger mess for the rest of us to clean up once he's out of office#VoteTrumpOut@realDonaldTrump @WHO @WhiteHouse @GOP
— Cameron L. Mitchell (@CameronLMitchel) July 7, 2020
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