Executive Order 14155

Withdrawing the United States From the World Health Organization

Signed January 20, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8361. 4 sections of substance, 659 words.

In plain English

This order pulls the country out of the World Health Organization. It says the group failed in the pandemic and costs too much.

Read it at the Federal Register →

Sec. 1. Purpose

The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.

In plain English

This sets out the case for leaving. It says the health body failed during the pandemic. It says the body did not reform itself. It says member states sway it too much. It says the dues asked here are too high. It notes China pays far less with a larger population.

Sec. 2. Actions

(a) 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. (b) Executive Order 13987 of January 25, 2021 (Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security), is revoked. (c) The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall establish directorates and coordinating mechanisms within the National Security Council apparatus as he deems necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity. (d) The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall take appropriate measures, with all practicable speed, to:

In plain English

This starts the exit. It cancels a 2021 letter that had undone an earlier exit. It also cancels a 2021 order on the COVID response. A White House aide must set up new health units. State and the budget office must pull back money and staff.

Sec. 3. Notification

The Secretary of State shall immediately inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations, any other applicable depositary, and the leadership of the WHO of the withdrawal.

In plain English

This tells the State Department to give notice. The notice goes to the United Nations and the health group.

Sec. 4. Global System Negotiations

While withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations, and actions taken to effectuate such agreement and amendments will have no binding force on the United States.

In plain English

This stops treaty talks. State must end work on a pandemic treaty. It must also stop work on health rule changes. Any steps taken on them will not bind the country.

Sec. 5. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: [[Page 8362]] (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-01957 Filed 1-28-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.