Trump Sues States to Block Climate Lawsuits

The Trump administration has filed unprecedented lawsuits against Michigan and Hawaii to prevent them from pursuing planned legal actions against fossil fuel companies over alleged climate change damages. The Department of Justice argues that such state-level lawsuits would undermine the Clean Air Act, disrupt federal greenhouse gas regulation, and threaten domestic energy production by making oil companies financially liable for climate impacts. President Trump's executive order declaring a national energy emergency has been cited to justify rolling back environmental protections and preempting state actions. Legal experts warn this federal intervention could set a precedent for future state-federal conflicts on environmental policy. Michigan and Hawaii have not yet filed their lawsuits, but their leaders maintain that fossil fuel companies should be held accountable for climate-related harm, referencing events such as Hawaii’s deadly Lahaina wildfire. The administration’s move is part of a broader strategy to protect the fossil fuel industry and curb climate litigation nationwide.