• Trump has signed resolutions blocking California's ban on new gas-powered cars by 2035.
• California immediately announced a lawsuit against the federal government to challenge the decision.
• The actions reflect ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and California over environmental regulations.
• Key stakeholders, including governors from other states, are joining California's legal challenges.
• The move prompts debate over environmental policy and state versus federal regulatory power.

President Donald Trump signed a resolution on June 12 that blocks California’s first-in-the-nation rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, marking a major shift in U.S. environmental policy. This move is expected to incite further legal battles as California quickly announced its intent to challenge the decision in court, with Attorney General Rob Bonta leading the steps necessary to defend the state’s regulatory authority against what he describes as Trump’s "divisive, partisan agenda," according to HuffPost and The Hill.

Trump criticized California's regulations as "crazy" and "a disaster for our country," stating in a White House signing ceremony, “We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all.” The resolutions also aim to reverse other policies regulating tailpipe emissions for heavy-duty trucks, as reported by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

The legal ramifications of Trump's actions extend beyond California, as ten other states joined the lawsuit to affirm their rights to maintain stringent emissions standards. These states argue that the Congressional Review Act, used by Congress to repeal California’s rules, represents an unlawful attempt by the federal government to undermine state autonomy over air quality regulations, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

In contrast to the federal government's stance, California asserts that its planned regulations would significantly reduce pollution and improve public health. Officials estimate that these measures could prevent approximately 1,300 cardiopulmonary deaths from 2026 to 2040. Therefore, the state's quick response reflects a commitment to prioritizing clean air standards despite federal pushback, according to Reuters and The Hill.

Advocates for electric vehicle standards have raised concerns that Trump's resolution not only undermines California’s authority but also potentially jeopardizes U.S. competitiveness in the global EV market. Critics, including Governor Gavin Newsom, argue that this move will boost foreign competitors, particularly China, in what they describe as an essential transition towards clean energy, as mentioned in Le Monde and The Hill.