In January 2022, the United States became a full member of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lay off a large number of USAID workers, reducing the number of employees from more than 10,000 to fewer than 300, according to local media reports.
"The United States was a member of the Human Rights Council from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2025, the United States is no longer a member of the Human Rights Council and automatically becomes an observer state like any of the 193 UN member states that are not members of the Council," noted the official statement.
The executive order signed by President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the court of engaging in illegitimate actions. These sanctions included freezing assets and suspending the entry into the United States of ICC officials, staff, and agents, as well as their immediate family members.
On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli military operation in Gaza. These warrants also involved Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.
The UN Human Rights Council announced that the United States is no longer eligible to withdraw from an international body of which it is no longer a part, following its membership period that ended on January 1, 2025. The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, as neither country is a party to the Rome Statute or a member of the ICC.
Starting at midnight on Friday, all direct employees of USAID, except designated staff, will be on administrative leave worldwide. It is still unclear whether this employee reduction will be permanent or temporary. The American Federation of Government Employees and an association of foreign service professionals have sued the Trump Administration over this measure.
USAID closed its headquarters to agency staff following budget-cutting measures implemented by the Government Efficiency Department. This situation has generated controversy and concern among affected workers and unions, as well as in the international community.
