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
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
