California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on January 23, 2026, that the state had officially joined GOARN, a WHO-coordinated international network of more than 250 institutions and experts dedicated to rapid response during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
The decision followed a meeting between Newsom and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In an official statement, Newsom described the federal withdrawal as "a reckless decision that will hurt all Californians and Americans," emphasizing that California would not stand idly by.
California Governor Newsom inks a deal to join the WHO.
— One America News (@OANN) January 24, 2026
Watch OAN Live here: https://t.co/Ci8c350hE1 pic.twitter.com/dvLKHKhBaT
"California will continue to foster partnerships across the globe and remain at the forefront of public health preparedness," Newsom said. State officials highlighted that direct participation in GOARN will enhance California's ability to access global expertise, share data, and coordinate responses to potential threats — benefits previously channeled through federal membership.
The U.S. Withdrawal: Context and Rationale
The United States formalized its exit from the WHO after President Donald Trump, on his first day in office in January 2025, issued an executive order initiating the one-year withdrawal process. The move echoed criticisms Trump voiced during his first term and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a joint statement released on the day of the withdrawal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained the decision:
"This action responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people. The agency abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States."
The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization. We are reclaiming our independence, protecting American sovereignty, and putting U.S. public health policy back in the hands of the American people. pic.twitter.com/HDSngmS7KD
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) January 23, 2026
The statement further accused the organization of bureaucratic inertia, conflicts of interest, and undue influence from international politics. As the WHO's largest financial contributor, the U.S. had provided hundreds of millions annually in both mandatory and voluntary funding — contributions that have now ceased.
Latest Development
The most recent official confirmation came directly from the California Governor's Office on January 23, 2026, stating that California is now formally part of GOARN and positioned as a leader in international public health collaboration. Source: Official California Governor's Office Press Release
Additional coverage has appeared in major outlets, including Politico, The Hill, and Reuters.
What This Means Moving Forward
California's independent step illustrates the deepening policy divide between Democratic-led states and the Republican federal administration on issues of international cooperation. While the move does not restore full U.S. engagement with the WHO, it allows the nation's most populous state to maintain direct ties to global health networks. Observers note that other states have not yet followed suit, leaving California as the sole U.S. participant in GOARN for now.
Sources & Notes
Primary Official Sources:
- California Governor's Office – Official Announcement (January 23, 2026)
- White House Statements on WHO Withdrawal (archived references, January 2026)
Original Inspiration: This article is informed by user-provided content referencing a report from InfoWars dated approximately January 2026 (InfoWars Link as Provided) and a related piece on Planet Today (Planet Today Referenced Article).
Disclaimer on Source Reliability: InfoWars and Planet Today are alternative media outlets known for strong editorial viewpoints and occasional unverified claims. While they highlighted this story early, the facts presented here have been cross-referenced with official government releases and mainstream reporting for accuracy. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources directly.