Former President Donald Trump is expected to sign a resolution on June 12 that would dismantle California’s landmark climate policies, including a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 and stricter emissions standards for trucks. The action, confirmed by a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity, will mark a significant rollback of environmental regulations aimed at combating climate change and reducing air pollution.
The resolution, approved by Congress last month, seeks to nullify California’s authority to implement stricter tailpipe emissions rules authority the state has held for decades under waivers granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The measure would also block California’s planned phase-out of medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks and the state’s aggressive efforts to cut smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions.
This move escalates the long-standing political and legal clash between Trump and California’s Democratic leadership, especially Governor Gavin Newsom. The two have sparred over a wide range of issues, from immigration enforcement to LGBTQ+ rights and environmental policy. The decision also coincides with broader Republican efforts to curb what they see as regulatory overreach by Democratic-led states.
“If it’s a day ending in Y, it’s another day of Trump’s war on California,” said Newsom’s spokesperson, Daniel Villaseñor. “We’re fighting back.”
National vs. State Control
California has long played a leading role in setting environmental standards, leveraging its status as the largest car market in the U.S. (accounting for about 11% of national auto sales) to influence industry trends. Over a dozen states have voluntarily adopted California’s emissions rules, magnifying their national impact.
Under the Clean Air Act, California has been granted special waivers to exceed federal pollution standards due to its unique air quality challenges particularly in densely populated and vehicle-heavy regions like Los Angeles and the Central Valley. These waivers have been a cornerstone of state-led climate initiatives since the 1970s.
Trump revoked this waiver during his first term, but President Joe Biden restored it in 2022. Trump has not formally rescinded the waiver again, but the current resolution would effectively sideline California’s standards by blocking their implementation through the Congressional Review Act a legislative tool that allows Congress to overturn agency regulations.
However, legal experts and the Government Accountability Office have questioned whether the Congressional Review Act can lawfully be used to undo state-level actions. The Senate parliamentarian sided with that view, adding further legal complexity to the administration’s move.
Industry Reaction
The resolution has drawn support from major industry groups, including the National Automobile Dealers Association and the American Trucking Associations (ATA), both of which argue that California’s policies are unrealistic and should not dictate national standards.
“This is not the United States of California,” said ATA President Chris Spear, who lauded the federal action.
General Motors, one of the nation’s largest automakers, also praised the move, calling for a unified national emissions standard that aligns with “market realities.” In a statement, GM emphasized the need for regulatory consistency to maintain competitiveness and offer a diverse lineup of both gasoline and electric vehicles.
Environmental Pushback
Environmental advocates condemned the decision as a major setback for climate action. Dan Becker, Director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign at the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the move as a “betrayal of democracy,” accusing the administration of prioritizing fossil fuel and auto industry profits over public health.
“Signing this bill is a flagrant abuse of the law to reward Big Oil and Big Auto corporations at the expense of everyday people’s health and their wallets,” Becker said.
California officials have vowed to take legal action, arguing that federal law still protects the state’s authority to set stricter emissions standards under the Clean Air Act.
A Broader Deregulatory Push
Trump’s announcement comes on the heels of a broader push to dismantle environmental regulations. On June 11, the EPA unveiled a proposal to repeal federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas power plants another key element of Biden-era climate policy. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the rollback, claiming it would reduce compliance costs by billions and promote energy independence.
Trump has made revitalizing the fossil fuel industry and reducing regulatory burdens central themes of his second-term agenda, pledging to expand domestic oil and gas production and revive the American auto manufacturing sector.
Governor Newsom, widely seen as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, has positioned California as a counterweight to federal climate rollbacks. The legal showdown over the emissions rules is expected to be lengthy and could set important precedents for the future of state authority in climate policy.
As the U.S. faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, the outcome of this battle may shape national environmental policy for years to come.
