Newsom Plans Legal Action Against Trump's Climate Policy Rollback

Feb 13, 2026, 2:47 AM

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to challenge President Donald Trump's latest action to roll back critical climate change regulations by filing a lawsuit. This announcement follows Trump's declaration that greenhouse gases do not pose a significant danger, which effectively overturns the 2009 endangerment finding that had been a cornerstone of US climate policy.

The endangerment finding, established during the Obama administration, identified carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as threats to public health and welfare, thus providing the legal basis for regulating emissions from vehicles and power plants under the Clean Air Act. Newsom criticized the president's decision, claiming it prioritizes corporate interests over the health and safety of communities across the nation. "This decision betrays the American people and cements the Republican Party's status as the pro-pollution party," he stated.

Trump's administration argues that this move represents "the single largest deregulatory action in American history," with the president asserting it would help lower car prices and boost the economy. However, environmental advocates have condemned the decision, labeling it a significant threat to federal authority in addressing climate change.

Experts warn that the repeal of the endangerment finding could lead to broader deregulation of climate policies, impacting air quality and public health significantly. The rollback may also allow for increased emissions from power plants and vehicles, further exacerbating issues related to climate change, such as wildfires and air pollution.

California, however, remains committed to its own climate goals. The state has implemented laws requiring that 100% of its electricity come from renewable or carbon-free sources by 2045, a target that is already approaching with 67% of its energy generated from such sources in 2023. Newsom emphasized that California will not retreat from its climate initiatives, stating, "We will continue fighting climate pollution here in our state.".

The legal battle over this policy is expected to be intense, with environmental law experts suggesting that states could leverage this federal rollback to enact stricter local regulations. Newsom's administration, alongside the California Environmental Protection Agency, has pledged to utilize all available legal avenues to protect the state's clean air and water standards, which could be undermined by Trump's actions.

As legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this rollback could reverberate beyond California. The state has traditionally led the fight against federal environmental deregulation, and its actions may inspire similar responses from other states that prioritize climate action.

In conclusion, Newsom's decision to sue the Trump administration represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between state and federal policies on climate change. The outcome of this legal battle could set crucial precedents for environmental regulation in the United States.

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