Trump plans to withdraw US from UN Human Rights Council
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order withdrawing the US from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The decision, first reported by Politico and later confirmed by a White House official, will be announced on Tuesday.
The move mirrors Trump's first-term actions when he cut ties with the UNHRC over allegations of bias against Israel.
Funding cessation
Executive order to halt funding to UNRWA
Along with the withdrawal, Trump's executive order will also end future funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The UNRWA is an organization focused on providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
The move comes after the Joe Biden administration temporarily halted funding during an Israel-Hamas conflict, citing ties of some UNRWA staffers with Hamas.
However, these allegations were later debunked by an independent review which found no supporting evidence.
Timely announcement
Trump's decision coincides with Netanyahu's White House visit
Notably, the US's withdrawal from the UNHRC was announced on the same day Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House.
The meeting is particularly significant as it is President Trump's first engagement with a foreign leader since he was inaugurated in January 2025.
Last week, Trump announced that the US will leave the World Health Organization (WHO) over the health agency's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.