On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed resolutions that overturned California’s groundbreaking plans to eliminate gas-powered cars by promoting electric vehicles. In response, California quickly filed a lawsuit against the federal government.

This move from Trump challenges Democratic initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and follows the Republican-controlled Congress’s decision to revoke California’s special permission to enforce stricter vehicle regulations.

California’s goal was to stop the sale of gasoline-only cars by 2035 as part of its broader environmental efforts.

During the signing event at the White House, Trump criticized California’s efforts, labeling them as “a disaster for this country,” and claimed that his resolutions would protect the auto industry from potential collapse.

The state quickly responded with legal action, with Attorney General Rob Bonta stating, “The President’s divisive and partisan actions are putting our health, economy, and environment at risk.”

Bonta added, “It’s reckless, it’s illegal, and we are prepared to take this to court once again.”

As the largest state in the U.S. with around 40 million residents, California has historically used a waiver under the Clean Air Act to implement its own emission regulations to combat severe air pollution.

Because of California’s significant market size and its influence—other states often adopt its regulations—automakers frequently adhere to California’s standards on a national scale.

This action by Trump also comes at a time when tensions between him and California are rising, particularly over immigration issues.

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has accused the President of acting tyrannically by deploying military forces to manage small protests in Los Angeles.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental advocates have condemned Trump’s decision, asserting that the rules are vital for reducing pollution levels.

Newsom recently argued that scaling back California’s electric vehicle goals would give an advantage to China in the auto market.

He pointed out that although China is a leading producer of electric vehicles, the U.S. is mainly reliant on imports despite being home to many pioneering clean car technologies.

Trump has consistently criticized financial incentives aimed at boosting the electric vehicle sector, despite considerable federal funding allocated for projects in Republican areas where many jobs are anticipated to be created.

On his first day in office this January, Trump made it clear that he wanted to ensure a “level” playing field for gasoline-powered vehicles through a series of executive orders aimed at the EV industry.