Story perspectives

Trump Allies Plan to Dismantle Key Climate Regulations

2/12/2026

Center

Vought's Climate Repeal

Russell Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Jeffrey Clark, former Department of Justice official, have drafted plans to repeal the endangerment finding and dismantle climate regulations.
In 2022, Gunasekara and Brightbill sought $2 million for a covert effort to undermine the endangerment finding, aiming for action in a future Republican administration.
If the plans succeed, the endangerment finding could be repealed, reshaping climate policy.

Left

EPA Repeals Regulations

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to repeal the endangerment finding, a regulation that holds greenhouse gases threaten public health.
This move aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's agenda to dismantle climate initiatives.
Critics argue it ignores climate risks and could allow fossil fuel pollution without restrictions.
The American Petroleum Institute signals internal conflict about the repeal.
Environmental advocates expect the repeal to face legal challenges.

History

Historical Context

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared greenhouse gases a threat to public health, following the Supreme Court's 2007 ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA that mandated federal regulation of carbon emissions. Recent efforts by Russell Vought and Jeffrey Clark to repeal this finding reflect ongoing political resistance to climate regulations established during the Obama administration, potentially undermining environmental protections.

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Vought's Climate Repeal

Russell Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Jeffrey Clark, former Department of Justice official, have drafted plans to repeal the endangerment finding and dismantle climate regulations.
In 2022, Gunasekara and Brightbill sought $2 million for a covert effort to undermine the endangerment finding, aiming for action in a future Republican administration.
If the plans succeed, the endangerment finding could be repealed, reshaping climate policy.

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