Trump government informs Congress that the United States will withdraw from the WHO

WHO to be investigated for role in coronavirus 2:07

(CNN) - The government of President Donald Trump notified the US Congress that it is formally withdrawing the country from the World Health Organization (WHO) amid the coronavirus pandemic, multiple officials reported to CNN.

Senator Robert Menéndez, the highest-ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also tweeted about development.

“Congress received notification that @POTUS officially withdrew the US from @WHO (WHO) amid a pandemic. Calling Trump's response to the chaotic and incoherent covid doesn't do it justice. This will not protect the lives or interests of Americans; it leaves sick Americans and the United States alone, ”Menéndez wrote.

• Coronavirus can float in midair, and experts say the WHO and CDC should tell people that.

A source informed on the letter told CNN that the document was very short, about three sentences, and confirmed that it will trigger a one-year withdrawal deadline, but cautioned that they cannot confirm that it was the final version.

Still, the letter indicates that the administration intends to move forward with its plan to withdraw from the WHO after members of the GOP task force on China urged President Donald Trump last month to reconsider his decision to end relations with the international body, arguing that the United States can do more to affect change as a member.

Trump initially announced his intention to withdraw from the WHO in May and has consistently accused the organization of helping China cover up the origins of the virus.

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