Former President Donald Trump, upon his second inauguration, swiftly signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This action reversed President Biden's reinstatement of US membership after Trump initially initiated the withdrawal process in 2020.

The executive order states, "The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO. The Presidential Letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations signed on January 20, 2021, that retracted the United States’ July 6, 2020, notification of withdrawal is revoked." The order directs the Secretary of State to formally notify the UN Secretary-General, relevant depositories, and WHO leadership of this decision.

Following his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., President Trump engaged in a signing ceremony. (Melina Mara-Pool/Getty Images)

Furthermore, the order mandates the Secretary of State and the director of the Office of Management and Budget to halt further transfer of US government funds and resources to the WHO, recall and reassign US personnel and contractors working with the organization, and identify alternative US and international partners to take over WHO's responsibilities.

The WHO expressed regret over the US withdrawal and urged reconsideration, emphasizing the importance of the US-WHO partnership for global health. Trump also signed additional executive orders, including one affirming the two biological sexes as unchangeable. This flurry of activity marked the beginning of his second non-consecutive term, a feat previously achieved only by Grover Cleveland.