In a move that reverberates through the halls of international diplomacy, the Trump administration has announced the United States will once again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The decision, which marks the third time the U.S. has exited the agency, signals a renewed commitment to an “America First” foreign policy and has drawn swift condemnation from allies and international bodies alike.
The official announcement came on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who cited concerns that U.S. involvement in UNESCO “is not in its national interest.” The withdrawal is set to take effect in December 2026, granting a period of transition.
The reasons provided for this latest departure mirror those articulated during President Trump’s first term in 2017:
- Perceived Anti-Israel Bias: The administration specifically pointed to UNESCO’s 2011 decision to admit the “State of Palestine” as a member state, calling it “highly problematic” and contributing to “the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.” This has been a consistent point of contention for U.S. policy.
- “Woke, Divisive Cultural and Social Causes”: The White House also expressed concerns that UNESCO “supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November.” This criticism reportedly includes the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as its focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which the administration described as a “globalist, ideological agenda.”
- Influence of Competitors: Although not explicitly stated as a primary reason for withdrawal this time, the previous Biden administration’s decision to rejoin UNESCO in 2023 was partly driven by a desire to counter China’s growing influence within the agency, particularly in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education. This latest U.S. withdrawal effectively cedes further ground in these critical areas.
UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed “deep regret” over the U.S. decision but confirmed that the agency “has prepared for it.” Azoulay strongly refuted accusations of anti-Israel bias, highlighting UNESCO’s extensive work in Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism. She also noted that UNESCO has diversified its funding sources, reducing the U.S. contribution to approximately 8% of its total budget, compared to nearly 40% in previous years.
The United States has a complicated history with UNESCO. It was a founding member of the organization in 1946 but first withdrew in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing mismanagement and an anti-Western bias. It rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, only to withdraw again in 2017 during Trump’s first term. The Biden administration reversed that decision in 2023, emphasizing the need for American re-engagement in multilateral institutions.
Critics of the withdrawal, including Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the decision “cedes more ground to U.S. competitors, especially China, who will take advantage of America’s absence to further shape the international system in their favor.”
While the Trump administration frames the exit as a defense of national interest, the move will undoubtedly impact international collaboration in education, cultural heritage protection (including UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the U.S.), and scientific initiatives. As the world faces pressing global challenges, this latest withdrawal solidifies the Trump administration’s commitment to a more isolationist foreign policy, leaving allies and international organizations to navigate a world without a consistent American presence in key multilateral forums.