Trump signs flurry of executive orders, including WHO withdrawal

President Donald Trump on Monday (January 20) signed a number of executive orders that included an end to birthright citizenship, an exit of the World Health Organization (WHO) and curtailing diversity provisions.

The move means the U.S. will leave the United Nations health agency in 12 months' time and stop all financial contributions to its work. The departure will likely put at risk programs across the organization, according to several experts both inside and outside the WHO, notably those tackling tuberculosis, the world’s biggest infectious disease killer, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies.

Trump also quickly moved to fulfill campaign promises to roll back policies put in place by the Biden administration, which prioritized implementing diversity measures across the federal government.

Trump repealed 78 executive orders signed by Joe Biden, including at least a dozen measures supporting racial equity and combating discrimination against gay and transgender people.

Speaking as he signed his executive orders, Trump talked of a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, stopping the purchase of oil from Venezuela and called on NATO nations to bump spending.