President Trump escalated his feud with California on Thursday by signing three measures that would block the state’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Here’s what you need to know about the California EV mandate battle:
The White House ceremony
Trump signed three anti-California measures:
- Lavish ceremony held in White House East Room
- Resolution nixes most aggressive steps to phase out gas cars
- Measures overturn California’s stricter emissions rules authority
- Higher standards for heavy-duty diesel engines also blocked
Trump’s criticism of California
President blasted Biden administration’s California waiver:
- Called California officials “left-wing radicals” with “dictatorial powers”
- Said scheme would “abolish the internal combustion engine”
- Claimed mandate forces companies to build cars for “two different countries”
- Biden administration granted California waiver to impose stringent standards
The attendees
High-profile officials witnessed signing:
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attended
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright present
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin participated
- House Speaker Mike Johnson and car industry members included
California’s immediate response
State officials filed lawsuit same day:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Trump administration
- State argues it has authority to set own vehicle emission rules
- Nine other Democrat-led states joined lawsuit
- Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York included
The lawsuit count
California’s 24th case against Trump this year:
- Newsom called action “Trump’s all-out assault on California”
- Governor said president “destroying our clean air”
- Accused Trump of being “wholly-owned subsidiary of big polluters”
- Daniel Villasenor said “another day of Trump’s war on California”
The Congressional approval
Resolution passed through formal legislative process:
- Congress approved measure last month
- Congressional approval makes court challenge more difficult
- Harder to overturn through future executive order
- First time Congress blocked California car rules since 1967
California’s EV timeline
State’s zero-emission vehicle requirements:
- 35% of new 2026 model cars must have zero emissions
- Requirements ramp up to 68% in 2030
- 100% zero emissions required by 2035
- Standards apply to new car sales in California
The Clean Air Act authority
Legal framework for California’s power:
- 1967 Clean Air Act gave California power for stringent standards
- Authority granted due to highly polluted air and large population
- EPA must grant state waiver for each standard adopted
- Biden administration granted waiver in 2023
The ongoing feud context
Latest battle in Trump-Newsom conflict:
- Trump deployed troops to Los Angeles for immigration raids
- President mobilized California National Guard and U.S. Marines
- Trump said LA would have “burned to the ground” without intervention
- Called Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass “incompetent”
The broader implications
Congressional Review Act resolution significance:
- Marks first Congressional block of California rules since 1967
- Resolution affects passenger vehicles and commercial trucks
- Affects heavy-duty diesel engine standards
- 10 states total involved in legal challenge
Read more:
• Trump steps on gas vs. California, moves to block state’s EV mandate
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