Cutting WHO funding isn't only dangerous—Trump doesn’t have the authority: Hillary Clinton

As United States President Donald Trump froze funding for World Health Organisation (WHO),  former First Lady of US Hilary Clinton said that it is 'dangerous.' She went on to add that US president Trump does t have 'authority' to do so. Attacking Trump over his impeachment trial, in which he has been acquitted, she said that he was impeached for violating spending laws. 

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Trump's impeachment

In August 2019, a whistleblower complained that White House officials believed y had witnessed Trump abuse his power for re-election. Two articles of impeachment accused Trump, first, 'abuse of power' seeking 'interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in 2020 United States Presidential election,' second, 'obstruction of Congress', by directing Executive Branch ncies and officials t to comply with subpoenas'.

House dominated by Democrats, in December 2019 passed both article of impeachment against Trump. Senate trial began reafter. After five months of hearings and investigations, a divided US Senate acquitted him of charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress to aid his own re-election. While he was acquitted 52-48 on first article of impeachment, 53-47 on second article of impeachment.

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Trump halts WHO funding

Trump on Wednesday halted US funding to UN body after alleging mismanaging coronavirus crisis. Trump has blamed WHO's "very much sided" approach to China on coronavirus crisis, asserting that many people are unhappy with global health ncy and feel that "it's been very unfair". Trump said: "Today I am instructing my administration to halt funding of WHO while review is conducted is assessing WHO's role in severely mismanaging and covering up spread of Coronavirus.

In an obvious reference to China, he said: "Everybody kws what's going on re." American taxpayer provides about 400 million to 500 million dollars per year to WHO in contrast China contributes only 40 million dollars or less. As highest contributor, it is our duty to insist on full accountability."

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WHO responds

Responding to  halt of funds, WHO director-general Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus on Thursday said that y regret  decision made by Trump. Speaking at WHO media briefing, Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus said that US has been a 'longstanding & generous friend' and maintained that 'toger y can improve health of many of world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.'  Though he did t speak directly on Trump's criticism of WHO on being 'one-sided' to China, he said that WHO's 'works with all nations equally, and it does t 'discriminate'. 

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