Trump Repeals Landmark Ruling on Greenhouse Gas Risks

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally rescinded the 2009 scientific determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health, a ruling that has anchored U.S. climate policy for more than a decade and supported regulations targeting emissions from vehicles and industry.

What Was Reversed and Why It Matters

The so-called “endangerment finding,” adopted during Barack Obama’s presidency, concluded that carbon dioxide and other planet-warming gases posed a direct risk to human health and welfare. That conclusion enabled federal agencies to impose limits on emissions, particularly in the transportation sector.

By revoking the finding, the Trump administration removes the legal foundation for many existing and future climate rules. The White House described the decision as the “largest deregulation in American history,” arguing it would reduce compliance costs for automakers by about $2,400 per vehicle and make cars more affordable for consumers.

Trump’s Criticism of Obama-Era Climate Policy

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the 2009 decision had harmed the U.S. auto industry and burdened American buyers with higher prices. He framed the ruling as a central pillar of Democratic climate policy, which he labeled a costly and misguided agenda.

According to the president, rolling back the finding restores competitiveness to U.S. manufacturing and removes what he called unnecessary regulatory obstacles imposed by previous administrations.

Backlash From Environmental Groups and Obama

Environmental organizations reacted sharply, calling the decision the most sweeping rollback of climate protections to date. Several groups signaled they would challenge the reversal in court, arguing that it ignores established scientific evidence and federal obligations to protect public health.

Former President Barack Obama, who rarely comments on the actions of his successors, warned that eliminating the finding would leave Americans more exposed to environmental and health risks. In a statement posted on X, he said the repeal would undermine the country’s ability to confront climate change while benefiting fossil fuel interests.

What Comes Next

While the administration has not detailed how quickly existing regulations could be dismantled, legal challenges are expected to delay or complicate implementation. Courts will likely be asked to decide whether the federal government can discard a long-standing scientific determination without violating environmental law.

As the debate moves from the White House to the judiciary, the decision sets the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle over the future of U.S. climate policy.