California, under Governor Gavin Newsom, has taken a controversial step to remain connected to global health surveillance as the Trump administration moves to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Newsom announced Friday that the state has officially joined the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network (GOARN), a worldwide system designed to detect and respond rapidly to emerging health threats.

Newsom announced a meeting with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. He framed the move as ensuring California continues to participate in international public health cooperation, despite federal disengagement. Critics, however, view the effort as a politically motivated attempt to elevate Newsom’s profile on the global stage rather than a strictly public health measure.

GOARN connects hundreds of public health agencies, laboratories, governments, and research institutions around the world to respond quickly to outbreaks with pandemic or cross-border potential. State officials argue participation will improve California’s readiness for emerging threats and strengthen collaboration with global experts.

Many legal analysts and conservative commentators have raised alarms about the legality of a U.S. state independently joining an international organization. The Constitution grants foreign policy and international agreements to the federal government, meaning Newsom’s unilateral move could set a precedent for bypassing federal authority. Some have criticized the step as an overreach of state power under the guise of public health, especially given that California is now operating its own parallel international relationships.

California has also taken other regional public health steps, including partnering with Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii in 2025 to form the West Coast Health Alliance, aligning immunization guidance and public health recommendations across state lines. Last month, Newsom launched the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX), aimed at modernizing state public health infrastructure and reinforcing science-based decision-making.

While Newsom portrays these actions as proactive measures, critics argue they risk creating a patchwork of state-level alliances that could undermine federal leadership, frustrate nationwide coordination, and prioritize political signaling over actual public health outcomes. By acting independently, California and Gavin Newsom appear more focused on attracting attention than on ensuring accountability or following the rule of law.