The Trump administration made a sweeping move on Tuesday by announcing the United States would withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing the agency’s ‘globalist, ideological agenda’ and its perceived anti-Israel bias. The decision marks another step in the administration’s broader foreign policy stance, which emphasizes national sovereignty and a reorientation of U.S. international commitments toward aligning with domestic values and national interests.
Speaking on the matter, White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, ‘President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November. This president will always put America First and ensure our country’s membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests.’ The statement reflects the administration’s view that UNESCO’s activities, particularly its promotion of what they describe as ‘woke’ social initiatives, are at odds with America’s core values and policies.
The action follows a pattern set during the Trump administration’s first term, when the U.S. exited UNESCO in October 2017 for similar reasons. At that time, the State Department noted concerns that UNESCO had not adequately addressed the criticisms raised by the Trump administration. The rejoining of the agency under President Joe Biden in 2023 saw a reversal of the previous stance, but the Trump administration has continued to express dissatisfaction with UNESCO’s operations and governance.
International reactions to the decision have been mixed, with some voices in the U.S. and Israel welcoming the move as a necessary realignment with American values and national interests, while critics argue that the withdrawal could have negative consequences for global collaboration on education and cultural exchange. The administration also highlighted UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a Member State as a significant point of contention, framing it as an affront to U.S. foreign policy and a contributor to anti-Israel rhetoric within the U.N. system.
Additionally, the move comes amid ongoing tensions within the broader U.N. framework, particularly regarding the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and the concerns raised by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres about potential negative impacts on global aid programs. The administration has also been critiqued by some for its foreign aid cuts, which are seen as potentially detrimental to vulnerable populations worldwide, a point reiterated by Guterres during a recent address to the press.
Despite the criticisms, the Trump administration remains resolute in its approach, as reflected in the State Department’s statement noting that ongoing involvement with UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States. The decision represents a continued effort to realign U.S. international policy with domestic political and cultural priorities, setting the stage for further strategic adjustments in how the U.S. engages with international organizations and global initiatives.