California's Governor Gavin Newsom speaks after California's special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts, in Sacramento, California, U.S., November 4, 2025. REUTERS/Fred Greaves
(Sacramento, California) – Just one day after President Donald Trump officially pulled the United States out of the World Health Organization, California announced it is joining a major WHO-coordinated global health network, a move widely seen as a direct challenge to the White House.
California became the first U.S. state to join the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), which coordinates international monitoring and response to emerging public health threats. State officials said the partnership will help provide early warnings and protect Californians from future outbreaks.
The announcement highlights a growing divide between Washington and blue-state leaders. While Trump has argued the WHO failed the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, California officials say global cooperation remains critical as public health threats increasingly cross borders.
