WHO Chief Rejects US Reasons for Withdrawal, Calls Criticism ‘Untrue’
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday pushed back against the United States’ stated reasons for withdrawing from the agency, calling Washington’s criticism “untrue” and warning that the move makes both the US and the world less safe.
In a post on X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue,” adding that the agency has always engaged with all member states, including the US, “with full respect for their sovereignty.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that Washington had formally withdrawn, citing alleged WHO failures during the Covid-19 pandemic and claiming the agency acted against US interests. They accused the WHO of “trashing and tarnishing” the United States and compromising its independence.
The WHO strongly rejected these claims, stating it acted transparently throughout the pandemic, shared information promptly, and advised member states based on available evidence. The agency also clarified it never recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates, or lockdowns, leaving policy decisions to sovereign governments.
The withdrawal process, begun under former President Trump, reached its one-year completion last Thursday. However, WHO noted that the US has not paid its 2024 or 2025 dues, leaving an outstanding amount of around $260 million. The Executive Board and World Health Assembly are expected to address these issues in upcoming meetings.
Tedros expressed hope that the US would return to active participation, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to its mission of ensuring the highest attainable standard of health for all people.
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