Newsom Leads West Coast Governors in Defying Trump on Public Health

California governor forms regional alliance to uphold scientific integrity as federal government rolls back vaccine recommendations

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has positioned himself as a national public health leader by staking out science-backed policies in contrast with the Trump administration. After Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC Director Susan Monarez, Newsom hired her and other ousted officials to help modernize California's public health system. Newsom also teamed up with fellow Democratic governors to form the West Coast Health Alliance, a regional public health agency whose guidance they say will 'uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys' the CDC's credibility.

Why it matters

Newsom's actions highlight the growing divide between blue and red states on public health policies, with the California governor building a bulwark against the Trump administration's rollback of vaccine recommendations and withdrawal from the World Health Organization. This clash over the role of science in public health could have major implications for disease prevention and outbreak response across the country.

The details

Newsom has criticized the Trump administration for engineering policies that he sees as an affront to public health, labeling federal leaders as 'extremists' trying to 'weaponize the CDC and spread misinformation.' He has excoriated federal officials for erroneously linking vaccines to autism and argued that the White House is unleashing 'chaos' on America's public health system. The Trump administration has proposed cutting billions from the CDC's budget and clawing back hundreds of millions in public health funds from Democratic-led states, arguing they are funding 'woke' initiatives.

  • In 2025, President Trump removed vaccine expert Paul Offit from the FDA's vaccine advisory committee.
  • In 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC Director Susan Monarez for refusing to 'dangerously politicize science.'

The players

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who has positioned himself as a national public health leader by staking out science-backed policies in contrast with the Trump administration.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary under the Trump administration who fired CDC Director Susan Monarez for refusing to 'dangerously politicize science.'

Susan Monarez

The former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was fired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for refusing to 'dangerously politicize science.'

Tina Kotek

The Democratic governor of Oregon who joined Newsom in forming the West Coast Health Alliance.

Bob Ferguson

The Democratic governor of Washington who joined Newsom in forming the West Coast Health Alliance.

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What they’re saying

“What we're seeing from the federal government is partisan politics at its worst and retaliation for policy differences, and it puts at extraordinary risk the health and well-being of the American people.”

— Georges Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association

“Public health has been turned on its head. We have an anti-vaccine activist and science denialist as the head of U.S. Health and Human Services. It's dangerous.”

— Paul Offit, Vaccine Expert

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Newsom's actions highlight the growing divide between blue and red states on public health policies, with the California governor building a bulwark against the Trump administration's rollback of vaccine recommendations and withdrawal from the World Health Organization. This clash over the role of science in public health could have major implications for disease prevention and outbreak response across the country.