Helena Joyce
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticized for his administration's environmental policies, which have been described as an onslaught and an assault upon the environment. Trump's administration has targeted climate policy in the name of fossil fuel investment, with the former president himself stating that America needs to drill, baby, drill for as much oil and gas as possible. Trump's actions have included exempting coal power plants from clean air rules, blocking approval for wind and solar projects, and reducing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget, resulting in reduced initiatives to protect air quality. However, some sources note improvements in air quality and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions during Trump's presidency, and the EPA has also taken action to clean up pollution sites and provide grants to communities in need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of actions to undo rules protecting clean air | 145 |
| Number of actions to repeal or weaken environmental rules | 145 |
| Number of actions to revise pollution standards | 31 |
| Clean Air Act Section 112 Presidential Exemption | Allows the President to exempt stationary sources of air pollution from compliance with any standard or limitation under section 112 for up to two years |
| National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants | Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review (MATS Rule); New Source Performance Standards for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Group I & II Polymers and Resins (HON rule); Sterilizer Rule; Rubber Tire Rule; Copper Rule; Iron and Steel Rule; Lime Rule; Coke Ovens Rule; Taconite Rule |
| Number of Americans with asthma | 1 in 12 |
| Number of deaths that could be prevented by regulations | 200,000 |
| Number of EPA personnel fired | Hundreds |
| Number of scientists the EPA plans to remove | 1,155 |
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What You'll Learn
- Trump's administration has attacked environmental work by targeting climate policy in favour of fossil fuel investment
- The Clean Air Act allows the President to exempt stationary sources of air pollution from compliance for up to two years
- Trump's EPA has revised pollution standards, including reconsidering whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk
- Trump's budget cuts will significantly reduce or eliminate funding for issues like greenhouse gas emissions
- Trump's administration has suspended the enforcement of certain environmental laws during the COVID-19 pandemic
Trump's administration has attacked environmental work by targeting climate policy in favour of fossil fuel investment
During his second term, Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented attack on the environment, with his administration rolling back environmental rules and escalating the use of fossil fuels. In the first 100 days of his second term, Trump took 145 actions to undo rules protecting clean air, water, and a liveable climate—more than one a day and more rollbacks than in his entire first term.
Trump's administration has targeted climate policy in favour of fossil fuel investment. This is evidenced by the revival of the coal industry, the exemption of coal power plants from clean air rules, and the blocking of new solar and wind projects. The administration has also urged the extraction of fossil fuels and other minerals across the US, speeding up permits and opening up the Pacific Ocean's seabed to mining. Trump's interior secretary, Doug Burgum, stated that:
> America is sitting on a treasure trove of energy, and under President Trump’s leadership, we’re unlocking it.
Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also taken steps to revise pollution standards, including reconsidering whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk. The EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, described this as "driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion". Trump's administration has also deleted Joe Biden-era green policies, frozen climate spending, and removed the US from the Paris climate accords.
The administration's aggressive targeting of climate policy in favour of fossil fuel investment is further demonstrated by the Department of Justice's lawsuits against Hawaii, Michigan, New York, and Vermont over their plans for legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change. The DOJ argued that the states' efforts undermined the federal government and "displaced" its ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Legal experts have called these lawsuits unprecedented, marking a concerning development in the ability of states to take climate action without federal opposition.
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The Clean Air Act allows the President to exempt stationary sources of air pollution from compliance for up to two years
The Clean Air Act, a comprehensive federal law regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources, was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 31, 1970. Over the years, the Act has undergone amendments, with the most recent one in 1990, which revised Section 112 to mandate the issuance of technology-based standards for major sources and certain area sources.
Section 112 of the Clean Air Act addresses emissions of hazardous air pollutants, allowing the President to exempt stationary sources of air pollution from compliance with any standard or limitation for up to two years. The exemption can be granted if the technology to implement the standard is unavailable and if it is in the national security interests of the United States. It is important to note that submitting a request for exemption does not guarantee approval, as the President will make a decision based on the merits of the case.
The Trump administration has been criticized for its rollbacks and attacks on environmental protections, including the Clean Air Act. During his administration, Trump focused on undoing rules protecting clean air, water, and a livable climate, often favoring the fossil fuel industry. Specifically, Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to revise pollution standards and reconsider the public health risks associated with greenhouse gases.
In contrast, the Biden administration has worked to reverse some of these rollbacks and strengthen environmental protections, including the Clean Air Act.
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Trump's EPA has revised pollution standards, including reconsidering whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk
In March 2025, Trump's EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced 31 actions to revise pollution standards and regulations, marking the greatest day of deregulation in US history. This included a reconsideration of whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk.
Trump's EPA has taken aim at almost every major pollution rule, targeting policies designed to protect Americans' access to clean air and water, as well as a livable climate. The administration has also deleted Biden-era green policies, frozen climate spending, and withdrawn from the Paris climate accords. Trump himself has expressed skepticism about the human causes of climate change, stating that he believes the US has the "cleanest air" and that he wants to keep it that way.
The EPA's moves have been criticized by environmentalists and health advocates, who argue that the rollbacks will increase pollution and negatively impact public health, particularly in poor and minority communities. In response to these criticisms, the EPA administrator, Zeldin, stated that the actions would lower the cost of living for American families and create jobs in the auto industry.
Trump's EPA has also targeted specific regulations, including the Biden-Harris Administration Risk Management Program rule, vehicle emission regulations, and the mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. Additionally, the EPA has disbanded offices that address the disproportionate impact of pollution on marginalized communities and halted grants aimed at addressing the climate crisis.
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Trump's budget cuts will significantly reduce or eliminate funding for issues like greenhouse gas emissions
Trump's budget proposal to Congress includes significant cuts to funding for issues related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change mitigation. The proposal aims to reduce federal spending by $163 billion in 2026, with a particular focus on non-military spending.
One notable aspect of the budget cuts is the cancellation of more than $15 billion in funding for carbon capture and renewable energy initiatives. This includes a cut of $6 billion intended for EV chargers, which the White House justified by arguing that the private sector should be responsible for building EV chargers, just as they are for gas stations. The budget proposal also redirects funding from the Energy Department toward research and development of technologies related to fossil fuel extraction, such as oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy.
Trump's budget also targets the agricultural sector, with planned cuts of over $4.5 billion to the US Department of Agriculture budget. These cuts would impact conservation programs, rural development initiatives for water and housing, and research grants. Additionally, the budget proposal eliminates several food aid programs, while increasing funding for food safety inspections at meat plants.
The proposed budget reflects Trump's broader approach to environmental issues, which has been characterized by a rollback of existing climate and environmental protections. During his administration, Trump has undone rules protecting clean air and water, withdrawn from the Paris climate accords, and promoted the expansion of fossil fuel extraction and the revival of the coal industry. These actions have been criticized by environmental advocates and scientists as exacerbating the climate crisis and endangering public health.
Trump's budget proposal, with its cuts to funding for renewable energy and agriculture, aligns with his administration's focus on promoting fossil fuel interests and rolling back environmental protections. The potential impact of these budget cuts on efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change remains a significant concern for many.
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Trump's administration has suspended the enforcement of certain environmental laws during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the first few months of his administration, Donald Trump rescinded rules limiting mercury and air toxins from power plants, limiting water pollution from coal plants, banning the pesticide chlorpyrifos, and banning methane emissions from landfills, among other rules. This led to lawsuits from various environmental groups, some of which were successful. Trump's administration also froze climate spending, removed the US from the Paris climate accords, and weakened standards by waiving long-standing environmental laws.
In June 2020, Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a temporary policy regarding the enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EPA recognized that many companies would face difficulties in complying with environmental laws due to workforce reductions or other pandemic-related impacts. The policy, which applied retroactively from March 13, 2020, stated that the EPA would exercise enforcement discretion for certain non-compliance issues covered by the policy and resulting from the pandemic.
The EPA's temporary policy did not relieve entities from the responsibility to prevent, respond to, or report accidental releases of hazardous substances, hazardous chemicals, hazardous waste, and other pollutants as required by federal law. It also did not apply to activities carried out under Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action enforcement instruments, imports, or criminal violations. The policy set forth specific requirements for facilities and the EPA's approach to enforcement in non-compliance situations involving acute risk or imminent threat to human health or the environment.
The physical closure of environmental government agencies and social mobilization restrictions imposed by the lockdown initially raised doubts about the continuation of certain environmental obligations. However, the prevailing opinion is that activities regarding the management of environmental impacts of essential economic activities must continue, and the obligation to comply with environmental management plans and other environmental laws remains in force.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump approved a 31% budget cut to the EPA, reducing initiatives to protect air quality.
Trump's administration proposed to rewrite pollution standards for cars, trucks, and power plants.
Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cleaned up more major pollution sites in 2019 than any year in two decades.
The Clean Air Act is a program that oversees air pollution and regulates it at the federal level.
Yes, Trump approved 31 actions to revise pollution standards, including reconsidering whether greenhouse gases pose a public health risk.
