The White House pen is moving fast this January. Honestly, if you blinked, you might have missed the sheer volume of paperwork coming off the Resolute Desk. Just a few days ago, specifically on January 7, 2026, the administration dropped a massive update that essentially rewires how America plays with the rest of the world. Trump signs presidential memorandum to pull the plug on 66 international organizations, and the list isn't just a bunch of obscure sub-committees. We are talking about the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), among dozens of others.
It’s a lot to take in. Basically, the move is the culmination of a massive review that’s been grinding away in the background since early 2025. Remember Executive Order 14199? That was the one that told Secretary of State Marco Rubio to go through every single treaty and group the U.S. belongs to and ask one question: "What are we actually getting for our money?"
The answer, according to this new memorandum, was "not enough."
What Exactly Is in the New Memorandum?
This wasn't just a "I'm leaving" note. It’s a targeted strike on what the administration calls "wasteful, ineffective, or harmful" international groups. The memorandum splits the targets into two main buckets. You've got 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN organizations.
The core of the document tells executive departments and agencies to stop participating and, more importantly, stop the money flow. If the U.S. was sending a check, that check is being cancelled as fast as the legal teams can manage it. Rubio posted on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) that these institutions were "redundant" or "captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas." It's a pretty sharp pivot from the multilateralism we've seen in the past.
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The Big Names on the Exit List
- UNFCCC: This is the bedrock of global climate negotiations. By pulling out, the U.S. is signaling it's done with global carbon targets.
- The IPCC: The scientific body that puts out those massive climate reports every few years.
- UN Population Fund (UNFPA): A frequent target for conservative administrations, now officially on the list again.
- International Law Commission: A group that helps develop and codify international law.
- UNESCO-related entities: Continuing the trend of distance from UN cultural and educational arms.
Why Trump Signs Presidential Memorandum Now
Timing is everything in D.C. This isn't happening in a vacuum. We are in the middle of a massive "America First" reboot where the focus is shifting toward domestic industrial capacity and away from global governance. The administration’s argument is that taxpayer dollars—billions of them—are being used to fund organizations that often criticize U.S. policy or prioritize globalist goals over American economic strength.
It’s not just about the money, though. It’s about "sovereignty." That's the word you’ll hear in every briefing. The memorandum argues that by following the rules of these 66 organizations, the U.S. was effectively letting foreign bureaucrats influence American law and industry.
The Health Side of the Paper Trail
Interestingly, this wasn't the only memorandum making waves this month. While the "Global Exit" memo got the headlines, another one from earlier in the cycle is starting to hit the ground. On January 5, the CDC acted on a December 2025 presidential memorandum regarding the childhood immunization schedule.
This is where things get really nuanced. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill are essentially overhauling how the U.S. recommends vaccines. They aren't banning them—that’s a common misconception. Instead, they are "aligning" the U.S. schedule with what they call the "consensus" of other developed nations.
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"President Trump directed us to examine how other developed nations protect their children and to take action if they are doing better," Kennedy said during the announcement.
Basically, they are moving toward a "more focused" schedule. The big change? They are adopting "individual-based decision-making" for things like Hepatitis B for infants (if the mother is negative) and the COVID-19 shot. It's a massive shift in public health philosophy, moving away from universal mandates toward a model that emphasizes doctor-patient choice.
The Pushback: Is This Even Legal?
You can bet the lawyers are already lining up. Critics and some legal experts are already arguing that you can’t just walk away from a treaty like the UNFCCC with a single signature. Usually, treaties involve the Senate, and there’s a whole debate about whether a president can unilaterally withdraw from a ratified treaty without legislative approval.
The administration’s stance is that they are withdrawing from the organizations and funding structures, which falls under executive authority over foreign policy. We’ll likely see this play out in the courts over the next few months.
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What This Means for You
If you’re a taxpayer, the immediate "pro" is that a lot of money is staying home. We're talking billions over a four-year cycle. The "con," depending on who you ask, is that the U.S. loses its seat at the table. If a group is making rules about international trade, digital privacy, or environmental standards, and the U.S. isn't in the room, those rules get made without us.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights
Watching the federal register right now is like watching a live feed of a factory. Things are moving fast. If you want to stay ahead of how these changes affect your business or your daily life, here is what you need to do:
- Monitor the Federal Register: This is the only place where the "real" versions of these orders live. Don't rely on second-hand summaries if you are in a regulated industry like energy or healthcare.
- Watch the Department of State’s "Withdrawal" list: They are expected to publish a more detailed timeline for when funding actually stops for each of the 66 organizations.
- Audit Your Supply Chain: If you work in tech or manufacturing, the withdrawal from certain international standards bodies (like those related to 6G or semiconductors) might change the compliance landscape.
- Consult Healthcare Providers on the New CDC Guidelines: If you're a parent, the "focused schedule" means your pediatrician might have different recommendations this year than they did in 2024. Ask specifically about the "individual-based decision-making" options now available under the new memorandum.
The reality is that Trump signs presidential memorandum not as a suggestion, but as a directive. The machinery of the federal government is already moving to implement these changes, and whether you agree with the direction or not, the "America First" era 2.0 is officially in high gear. Expect more of these memos as the administration continues its "sovereignty" audit of the entire federal budget.