California will stop paying all federal taxes and is preparing to secede from the United States, declare itself an independent nation.

The claim that California will stop paying all federal taxes and is preparing to secede and declare itself an independent nation conflates political statements, public opinion, and legal initiatives with actual government action. First, there is no official or legal action by the California state government to cease paying federal taxes. Governor Gavin Newsom has suggested the possibility of withholding federal tax payments in response to potential federal funding cuts, but this remains a political threat or rhetorical stance rather than an implemented policy.sos.ca.govsos.ca.govProposed Initiative Enters Circulation: Requires Future Vote on Whether...digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edudigitalcommons.law.seattleu.eduFault Lines: An Empirical Legal Study of California Secession Such a move would face significant legal challenges under current U.S. Law.

Second, while there is some public support for California having greater autonomy or even secession, polls show mixed but notable interest in the idea, this does not equate to an official secession effort underway. For example, a recent poll found that 44% of Californians might vote for a peaceful, legal secession ballot measure, but a majority still oppose it.politico.compolitico.comNewsom floats withholding federal taxes as Trump threatens California Third, there is a proposed initiative cleared for signature gathering that would require a future vote on whether California should become an independent country.ic.instituteic.institutePoll: Californians ready to govern themselves, stop just short of secession However, this is at the early stages of the initiative process and does not mean secession is imminent or legally certain.

Fourth, from a legal perspective, secession is widely considered unconstitutional under current U.S. Law. Scholarly analysis confirms that unilateral secession by a state is not legally recognized. While groups like Calexit advocate for independence and claim legal pathways exist, these remain fringe movements without official government endorsement.

In summary, while political rhetoric about withholding federal taxes and secession exists alongside some public support and early-stage initiatives, California has not stopped paying federal taxes nor formally declared independence. The claim exaggerates ongoing political discourse and activism into definitive government action.