• Trump's team is reportedly preparing for a U.S. withdrawal from the WHO in his second term.
• This aligns with Trump's criticism of the WHO and his belief that the agency failed to hold China accountable for the early spread of COVID-19.
• Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services, drawing national scrutiny.
• The potential U.S. withdrawal from the WHO has raised concerns about the impact on global disease surveillance and emergency response systems.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global health community, members of Donald Trump's presidential transition team are reportedly preparing for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the first day of his second term. This information comes from Lawrence Gostin, a health law expert at Georgetown University in Washington and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law.

The plan aligns with Trump's longstanding criticism of the U.N. health agency and would mark a significant shift in U.S. global health policy. It would also further isolate Washington from international efforts to combat pandemics. This move is reminiscent of Trump's first term when he initiated the year-long withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, a decision that was later reversed by his successor, President Joe Biden.

Trump's criticism of the WHO stems from his belief that the agency failed to hold China accountable for the early spread of COVID-19. He has repeatedly referred to the WHO as a puppet of Beijing and has vowed to redirect U.S. contributions to domestic health initiatives.

Kennedy's Nomination and Its Implications

In line with his criticism of the WHO, Trump has nominated several critics of the organization to top public health positions. Among them is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic nominated for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services. This department oversees all major U.S. health agencies, including the CDC and FDA.

Kennedy's nomination has drawn national scrutiny. His anti-vaccine stance and promotion of disproven health theories have alarmed health officials and specialists. Despite this, Trump's transition team has remained silent on the matter, not responding to requests for comment.

The potential U.S. withdrawal from the WHO has raised concerns among critics who warn that it could undermine global disease surveillance and emergency response systems. Gostin, the health law expert, has expressed his concerns, stating that the U.S. would lose influence in global health and that China would fill the vacuum. He further added that he couldn't imagine a world without a robust WHO, but a U.S. withdrawal would severely weaken the agency.

WHO's Response and Trump's Staffing Decisions

In response to these developments, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that the WHO needs to give the U.S. time and space for the transition. He also expressed confidence that states could finalize a pandemic agreement by May 2025.

In addition to his plans for the WHO, Trump has been making other significant staffing decisions for his incoming administration. He has been naming some of his top allies to prominent positions in his Cabinet and beyond. With a slew of dramatic changes expected in his second term, Trump will rely on his band of loyalists to carry out his agenda.