President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. On Tuesday, he signed an official order cutting U.S. involvement. The country had previously left the council in 2018 under Trump, but Joe Biden reversed that decision in 2021.
Trump also confirmed that the U.S. will continue withholding financial support from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Israel accused UNRWA employees of assisting in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Following Israel’s lead, the U.S. also ended its association with the organization.
Trump reinstated strict economic sanctions on Iran by signing a presidential directive. His “maximum pressure” approach aims to restrict Iran’s oil exports, which provide the country’s main source of revenue. The U.S. also intends to punish those who help Iran evade existing sanctions.
Trump had previously pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. After that, Iran stopped complying with inspection requirements and lifted its nuclear limitations.
Trump confirmed his administration’s plans to overhaul and shrink the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Officials are considering integrating USAID into the State Department, reducing staff, and adjusting funding to fit Trump’s “America First” strategy.
Elon Musk is leading the restructuring effort, focusing on cutting government spending. Trump praised Musk’s work and pointed to widespread fraud within USAID as a reason for the changes.
Additionally, over 20,000 federal employees have agreed to resign under a voluntary exit program. This initiative, available until Thursday, allows workers to leave while still receiving salaries and benefits until September 30. Trump sees this as a step toward reducing government size, though some Democrats have raised concerns about its legality.
Trump has suggested relocating American prisoners to jails in other countries. He admitted uncertainty about the legal aspects but said he would implement the plan immediately if possible.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has offered to house U.S. inmates in his country’s prisons. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the offer as “very generous.”