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FIRST ON FOX: Republican lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to withdraw the United States from the United Nations. This initiative arises from concerns that the international organization compromises American interests and fails to align with former President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda.
On Thursday, Senator Mike Lee from Utah introduced legislation known as the Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025. This proposed law aims to terminate U.S. membership in the U.N. and its affiliated organizations, as well as halt funding to those groups. Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee is co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
Representative Chip Roy from Texas is set to present the measure in the House on Friday, expressing his belief that the U.N. and its agencies do not promote American interests.
Continued Criticism of the U.N.
Lee articulated his concerns in a statement to Fox News Digital, asserting that the United Nations has deteriorated into a venue that allows autocrats to criticize America and its allies. He emphasized, ‘We should stop paying for it.’ Lee further stated, ‘As President Trump revolutionizes our foreign policy by putting America first, we should withdraw from this sham organization and prioritize real alliances that keep our country safe and prosperous.’
The United States is the largest financial contributor to the U.N., providing over $18 billion in 2022, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. This amount constitutes approximately one-third of the U.N.’s total budget.
Representative Roy echoed these sentiments, arguing that the U.N. has benefitted from American taxpayer money while often undermining American interests. He questioned the effectiveness of the U.N., stating, ‘Despite all of the money and attention, this corrupt globalist organization has, for decades, failed to prevent wars, genocides, human rights violations and even pandemics.’
Specific Allegations Against U.N. Entities
Roy specifically pointed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides services to Palestinian refugees and their families. The agency has recently faced scrutiny after a U.N. investigation suggested that some UNRWA employees may have played roles in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Subsequently, the U.S. temporarily suspended funding for UNRWA in January 2024 in light of this report.
‘No sane country would stand for this,’ Roy stated.
A number of Republican Representatives, including Mike Rogers of Alabama, Eli Crane of Arizona, Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have co-sponsored the legislation.
This proposed legislation also aims to prevent the U.S. from participating in peace negotiations involving the U.N. Furthermore, it prohibits the executive branch from entering agreements related to U.N. membership without Senate approval.
Political Backlash and Diverging Opinions
The U.N. has also faced criticism from some Democrats, particularly during the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict. In October 2024, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including 11 Democrats, sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, accusing the U.N. of failing to maintain neutrality and taking a stance against Israel.
In their letter, the lawmakers pointed to a U.N. General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel return all territory and assets it has settled in the Palestinian Territories since 1967. They stated, ‘We will not accept the U.N.’s ongoing hostility to our ally Israel.’
Public opinion regarding the U.N. remains divided among the American populace. A Pew Research Center survey released in April 2024 found that more than 70 percent of Democrats and liberal-leaning independents view the U.N. favorably, while only 34 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents share that sentiment.
During both his terms in office, Trump sought to reduce or eliminate funding for U.N. organizations. His administration formally withdrew the United States from the U.N. Human Rights Council in February and enacted funding cuts for UNRWA.
Evaluating the Path Forward
The growing momentum behind this legislative push signals a larger movement within the Republican Party regarding U.S. foreign policy and international relations. As domestic and foreign challenges evolve, the debate on America’s role in global organizations may intensify.
Lawmakers advocating for withdrawal argue that U.S. resources should prioritize bilateral relations with allies that align more closely with American values and interests. Critics, however, warn that withdrawing from the U.N. could have damaging implications for international cooperation on issues like security, human rights, and humanitarian aid.
The differing perspectives on the U.N. reflect broader ideological divides in American politics. As global dynamics shift, the question of whether the U.S. should maintain its role in international organizations will continue to be a critical discussion point.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
