California Becomes First US State To Join WHO Network Despite Trump’s Withdrawal

This is a move he described as a direct counter to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the WHO.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the state has become the first in the United States to formally join the World Health Organisation’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN).

This is a move he described as a direct counter to President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the WHO.

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Newsom said California’s participation in the global health network is aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to respond to public health threats.

“Countering Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, California is the first American state to join the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network,” Newsom wrote.

“With WHOGOARN, we’ll keep working to help protect Californians from public health threats.”

Countering Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, California is the first American state to join the @WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network.

With @WHOGOARN, we’ll keep working to help protect Californians from public health threats. https://t.co/GzfzmF17mH

Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 23, 2026

GOARN is a WHO-led collaboration of institutions and networks worldwide that provides rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

By joining the network, California is positioning itself to collaborate directly with international health experts, laboratories, and emergency response teams in detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.

Newsom’s announcement comes amid renewed political debate in the United States over global health cooperation, particularly following Trump’s long-standing criticism of the WHO and his move to withdraw U.S. participation during his presidency.

Public health experts say California’s decision could enhance early warning systems, improve outbreak preparedness, and strengthen information-sharing with global partners, even as federal-level engagement with international health bodies remains uncertain.

The governor did not provide further details on how California’s participation in GOARN would be implemented, but emphasized that the move reflects the state’s commitment to science-based public health policy and international cooperation.

California, the most populous state in the U.S., has often taken independent positions on climate change, immigration, and public health, particularly when its leadership disagrees with federal policies. Newsom’s latest move signals a continued effort to maintain global health ties despite shifting national priorities.

On Friday January 23, the US officially completed its withdrawal from the global health body, but still owes the agency roughly $260 million in outstanding membership fees, according to media reports citing WHO calculations.

Washington had long been one of WHO’s largest contributors, but US President Donald Trump grew openly hostile toward the organisation after the Covid-19 pandemic, accusing it of mismanagement and political bias.

He first initiated US withdrawal in 2020, but the move was reversed by Joe Biden in 2021. Last year – on his first day back in office – Trump signed a new executive order pulling the US out of the body.

Under a 1948 resolution authorising US membership in WHO, Washington must give one year’s notice and settle outstanding obligations before withdrawal.

While the notice requirement has been met, formally ending US membership this week, WHO said in January last year that Washington had failed to pay dues for the 2024-2025 budget cycle, totaling about $260.6 million.

Bloomberg and CNN reported Thursday that the fees remain unpaid after Trump’s order halted all US transactions with the body.