In a strange turn of events, even for the U.N., the World Health Organization held the U.S. flag captive in what seemed to be an act of defiance after the American government withdrew from the organization.
In January 2025, the U.S. announced its plan to leave the WHO. During the yearlong process, the U.S. stopped funding, withdrew all personnel from the WHO, and began pivoting activities previously conducted with the organization to direct bilateral engagements with other countries and organizations. On January 22, 2026, the U.S. completed of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
Yet, according to a joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Health Kennedy, “even on our way out of the organization, the WHO tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it. The WHO refuses to hand over the American flag that hung in front of it, arguing it has not approved our withdrawal and, in fact, claims that we owe it compensation. From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer, and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue.”
Rubio and Kennedy pledged that “we will get our flag back for the Americans who died alone in nursing homes, the small businesses devastated by WHO-driven restrictions, and the American lives shattered by this organization’s inactivity. Our withdrawal is for them.”
Four days later, the U.S. Mission in Geneva announced that the marines had secured the U.S. flag, “dedicated to the American lives lost during COVID.”
Nevertheless, the WHO Executive Board is still debating whether the U.S. has their approval to withdraw, without first paying $130 million that the UN agency claims America still owes them.
U.S MARINES SECURE FLAG DETAINED BY WHO: The World Health Organization refused to return the American flag that hung in front of it, saying it has not approved the U.S. withdrawal from the agency-and that
owes them compensation. Good news: the U.S. Marines now have the flag. pic.twitter.com/VnvwnEzZYW
- Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) February 5, 2026
