On January 23, 2026, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California has officially joined the World Health Organization’s pandemic preparedness and response framework as a subnational entity, making it the first U.S. state to do so after the federal government withdrew from the agreement under President Trump. The decision allows California to participate directly in WHO
On January 23, 2026, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California has officially joined the World Health Organization’s pandemic preparedness and response framework as a subnational entity, making it the first U.S. state to do so after the federal government withdrew from the agreement under President Trump. The decision allows California to participate directly in WHO planning, share data independently, and align state emergency health policies with international guidelines established by the organization.Newsom described the move as essential for protecting Californians against future pandemics, stating that global cooperation is necessary regardless of federal policy. The state will now have a formal seat at certain WHO working groups and will commit resources to support the organization’s surveillance and response systems. The announcement drew immediate condemnation from the White House, which reiterated that only the federal government has authority to bind the United States to international agreements.Trump administration officials have called the action “null and void” under U.S. law and are reviewing legal options to block California from implementing any WHO directives that conflict with national policy. The move also creates potential funding complications, as California intends to use state dollars to fulfill commitments that were previously handled through federal channels.The decision has sparked fierce backlash from Republicans in California and nationwide, who accuse Newsom of subordinating American sovereignty to an unelected global body. Critics point to the WHO’s handling of COVID-19 and argue that state-level participation undermines the Trump administration’s “America First” foreign policy.
