Trump May Face Lawsuit Over Withdrawal from WHO

Jan. 22, 2025
Representatives of the O’Neill Institute object to the Trump Administration's decision to begin pulling the U.S. out of the WHO

The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law expressed concern over President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). Co-faculty directors, Professor Michele Bratcher Goodwin and Professor Lawrence O. Gostin, released a statement saying that the U.S. “[i]s one of the largest funders of global health and contributes 22 percent of the WHO’s assessed dues. U.S. funding has been instrumental in supporting the WHO’s pandemic response. Without it, the organization’s ability to address global health emergencies will be significantly weakened, endangering health everywhere.”

“Trump made a unilateral decision to pull out of WHO. But we joined WHO in 1948 by an Act of Congress. Trump needs Congress’ approval to withdraw. His decision is too catastrophic to be made without Congress and the courts. As director of a WHO Center, I am considering a lawsuit,” Gostin posted on X.

Meanwhile, WHO released a statement expressing regret over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the organization and the hope that the decision will be reconsidered. “For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.”

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