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Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday strongly denounced President TrumpDonald John TrumpMichael Cohen to be released early from prison amid coronavirus pandemic: report Biden assembling White House transition team Top Republicans call on Trump to fund WHO pending director-general's resignation MORE's decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak, saying that it ignored the administration's own mistakes in its response to the global pandemic.

While speaking at a briefing on the White House lawn, Trump said that the administration would halt funding for the WHO pending a review of the organization's "role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus."

The president claimed that theinternational body, which is part of the United Nations, "failed to adequately obtain, vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion" and targeted the group over its opposition tolarge-scale travel restrictions.

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump turns to lawmakers to advise on reopening Trump taps members of Congress to advise on reopening Can the Trump administration prevent asylum-seeking aliens from entering the US during COVID-19? MORE (Vt.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that the move "makes as much sense as cutting off ammunition to an ally as the enemy closes in."

"The White House knows that it grossly mishandled this crisis from the beginning, ignoring multiple warnings and squandering valuable time, dismissing medical science, comparing COVID-19 to the common cold, and saying 'everything will be fine,'" Leahy, who also serves onthe subcommittee overseeing foreign operations, added. "Not wanting to take responsibility as the deaths continue to mount, he blames others."

Sen. Brian SchatzBrian Emanuel SchatzUN head responds to Trump: 'Not the time' to reduce funds for WHO Democrats blast Trump's move to suspend WHO funding Democratic senators want to create panel to determine how to reopen country MORE (D-Hawaii), an outspoken critic of the president, said in a tweet that the announcement felt like a "distraction." Sen.Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyOvernight Health Care: Trump to release guidelines on easing social distancing on Thursday | Trump WHO cuts meet blowback | Officials warn of lack of testing supplies | Global cases surpass 2 million Trump WHO cuts meet with furious blowback China hawks flex muscle amid coronavirus fallout MORE (D-Conn.) called ita "grade school caliber attempt to deflect attention from his China fawning and his ongoing negligence since."

"He wants this to be about other countries so he doesnt have to explain why South Korea and the USA got hit with their first cases at the same time, but South Korea prevented mass deaths,"Schatz added.

Sen. Tina SmithTina Flint SmithWarren, Smith call for B to rescue child care centers amid drop in attendance Democrats blast Trump's move to suspend WHO funding Democrats call for pollution reduction requirements in any aid for airlines, cruises MORE (D-Minn.) and Reps. Karen BassKaren Ruth BassDemocrats blast Trump's move to suspend WHO funding Biden congratulates Trump on implementing Defense Production Act House Democrats press Barr to protect inmates from coronavirus MORE (D-Calif.) and Jess Garca (D-Ill.) echoed those remarks, with Bass callingthe movean "abdication of international responsibility and leadership."

"International cooperation on public health has never been more critical," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffKrystal and Saagar debate former Clinton advisor on Biden's electability Schiff throws support behind Biden Democrats blast Trump's move to suspend WHO funding MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted. "Freezing funding for the WHOwill only make it worse."

The U.S. is the biggest contributor to the WHO's budget in the world. Trump'sfiscal 2021 budget request proposed cutting funding from $122 million to about $58 million.

Amid scrutiny over his administration's own response to the outbreak, Trump earlier this month began targeting the WHO and suggesting that it hid information about the severity of the disease when it first began spreading in China. Republican lawmakers have vocally supported the president's position, with Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham: 'You really can't go back to work until we have more tests' Democratic challenger outraises Graham in South Carolina Senate race China hawks flex muscle amid coronavirus fallout MORE (R-S.C.) last week vowing to end funding for the WHO under its current leadership.

Leahy acknowledged that the WHO made mistakes in its early response, saying that it "could have been stricter with China and called for travel restrictions sooner." But he argued that the group is serving an "essential function" right now and needs U.S. support.

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Democrats blast Trump's move to suspend WHO funding | TheHill - The Hill