66
Total Organizations
Treaties, conventions, bodies
31
UN Entities
Agencies, programs, treaties
35
Non-UN Organizations
Multilateral bodies, agreements
1
Day to Sign
Week 2 of term
Why This Matters
This memo claims authority to withdraw from 66 international commitments that typically require Congressional approval. The UNFCCC withdrawal is unprecedented -- no country has ever left. Re-entering would require a new 2/3 Senate vote. The core legal question: can a president unilaterally withdraw from Senate-ratified treaties? WHO has a statutory 12-month notice period (initiated Jan 20, 2025). Paris Agreement exit completed Jan 27, 2026. Estimated to add 0.1°C to global warming projections.
Organizations & Treaties Affected
🏥 Health & Safety
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Global Health Security Agenda
- Pandemic Preparedness Treaty (negotiations)
- Codex Alimentarius Commission
🌍 Climate & Environment
- Paris Climate Agreement (exited Jan 27, 2026 -- second time)
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC -- first country ever to withdraw if completed)
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- Global Methane Pledge
- Kigali Amendment (HFCs)
💼 Trade & Economics
- Global Minimum Tax Agreement (Pillar Two)
- OECD BEPS Framework (partial)
- UN Global Compact
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
👥 Human Rights
- UN Human Rights Council (re-withdrawal)
- UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- Global Compact on Migration
- UN Women (partial funding)
🎓 Education & Culture
- UNESCO (re-withdrawal)
- UN Alliance of Civilizations
- International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (partial)
⚖️ Legal & Judicial
- International Criminal Court (sanctions restored)
- UN International Law Commission (observer)
- Optional Protocol to Vienna Convention
Note: This is a partial list of major organizations. The full memo contains 66 total entities across various categories.
Legal Analysis
Executive Authority Claims
The memo cites broad executive authority over foreign affairs under Article II of the Constitution. The administration argues that the President can withdraw from any international commitment that was entered via executive action (rather than Senate-ratified treaty).
Congressional Pushback
Several withdrawals face statutory obstacles:
- WHO: Congress passed a law in 2023 requiring 12-month notice and Congressional notification before WHO withdrawal. Notice initiated Jan 20, 2025 (12-month period underway). The memo claims this law is unconstitutional.
- Paris Agreement: U.S. officially exited on January 27, 2026 (second time). Previous withdrawal took 4 years; this time completed faster.
- UNFCCC: The U.S. would be the first country ever to leave UNFCCC if withdrawal completes. Re-entering would require a new 2/3 Senate vote since it is a Senate-ratified treaty.
- UNESCO: U.S. owes $600M+ in back dues; withdrawal doesn't eliminate debt.
Likely Legal Challenges
- Can a president unilaterally withdraw from Senate-ratified treaties? Courts have never definitively resolved this.
- States may sue claiming economic/environmental harm
- NGOs may challenge specific withdrawals affecting funded programs
- Congressional standing questions remain unresolved
- Projected climate impact: withdrawal estimated to add 0.1°C to global warming projections
The Core Legal Question
Can a President unilaterally withdraw from international commitments that were made via executive agreement? The courts have never definitively resolved this. Goldwater v. Carter (1979) dismissed a similar challenge on political question grounds.
Implementation Timeline
January 20, 2025
WHO Withdrawal Notice Initiated
12-month notice period began under 2023 law
January 7, 2026
Presidential Memo Signed
66 organizations (35 non-UN + 31 UN entities) listed for withdrawal; agencies directed to begin process
January 20, 2026
First Withdrawal Notices Sent
State Department begins formal notification process; WHO 12-month notice period reached
January 27, 2026
Paris Agreement Exit Official
U.S. officially exited Paris Climate Agreement for the second time. UNFCCC withdrawal also initiated -- U.S. would be first country ever to leave.
February 2026 (Expected)
Legal Challenges Filed
States, NGOs expected to challenge unilateral withdrawal from Senate-ratified treaties (especially UNFCCC)
January 2027 (Statutory)
WHO Withdrawal Effective (if valid)
12-month notice period under 2023 law (if courts uphold)