Rand Paul shows support for Trump’s withdrawal from global organizations

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senator Rand Paul showed support Thursday for the U.S.’s withdrawal from dozens of international organizations.

“While the President and I have our occasional difference, we agree far more than we disagree,” the Kentucky Republican said in a social media post.

“A good example, defunding left wing, globalists groups is a policy I wholeheartedly support.”

President Donald Trump ordered the actual and de facto withdrawal from 66 organizations, including 31 United Nations groups. The U.S.’s financial support for international bodies is significant, but The National News Desk couldn’t determine whether the organizations named in Trump’s order have liberal policies.

The United Nations’s leader, Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed regret for the U.S.’s withdrawal but suggested the Trump administration will still have to fund the intergovernmental group. Approved funding for the United Nations is legally binding, a spokesperson for Guterres said.

“All United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given to us by member states,” Stéphane Dujarric told reporters. “The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for all those who depend on us, and we will continue to carry out our mandates with determination.”

Trump has said the United Nations organizations are not in the U.S.’s interests and claimed in an executive order last February that some have attacked American allies and spread antisemitism.

“The United States helped found the United Nations (UN) after World War II to prevent future global conflicts and promote international peace and security,” the president said. “But some of the UN’s agencies and bodies have drifted from this mission.”

Many United Nations groups have encouraged international cooperation and toleration, however. Domestically, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that the Trump administration is allowing the U.S.’s rivals to seize influence as the president withdraws from global efforts.

Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, said in a response to Trump’s address to Congress last year that the president doesn’t think the U.S. should lead the world.

“Donald Trump’s actions suggest that, in his heart, he doesn’t believe we are an exceptional nation. He clearly doesn’t think we should lead the world,” Slotkin claimed. “Look, America is not perfect. But I stand with the majority of Americans who believe we are still exceptional. Unparalleled. And I would rather have American leadership over Chinese or Russian leadership any day of the week.”

The Trump administration has argued it is prioritizing American interests, although it has distanced itself from many foreign allies.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.