Trump Blocks California EV Mandate, States Sue

President Donald Trump signed joint congressional resolutions revoking EPA waivers that allowed California and other states, including Washington, D.C., to pursue ambitious electric vehicle (EV) policies such as phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The action blocks California’s EV mandate and affects similar regulations in at least 15 other states. The Trump administration argued the state mandates threatened the U.S. auto industry and individual freedoms, while critics labeled the move as an unprecedented use of the Congressional Review Act against state environmental policy. In response, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from 10 other Democratic-led states, filed a federal lawsuit claiming the move is unconstitutional and undermines states' rights under the Clean Air Act. California officials argue these waivers have never been subject to the Congressional Review Act and allege political retaliation. The legal dispute centers on federalism and the scope of state authority over climate policy.