President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration has repealed the Obama‑era 2009 “endangerment finding,” the scientific determination that greenhouse‑gas emissions threaten public health and the environment. The move, made at the White House with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, was billed as a political victory over what the president called the Democratic Party’s “radical” climate agenda.
What the repeal means
The 2009 finding has served as the legal foundation for federal rules limiting emissions from cars, power plants and other sources for nearly 17 years. By rescinding it, the Trump administration says it will remove mandates on electric‑vehicle adoption and lower energy costs for consumers by promoting fossil‑fuel use.
Trump described the finding as “the foundation of the Green New Deal scam” and framed the reversal as an attack on “authoritarian” federal regulations that he argues choke the U.S. Economy.
Political backdrop
Trump positioned the rollback as a boost for his 2026 midterm election strategy, suggesting that cutting climate regulations will help the Republican Party win congressional seats in November.
Democrats and environmental groups warned that eliminating the finding will cripple the United States’ ability to combat climate change, echoing former President Obama’s criticism that the move makes Americans “less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change.”
Public sentiment
Surveys present a growing concern among Americans about global warming. A 2024 Yale Climate Communication survey found that 63 % of U.S. Adults say they are worried about climate change, while a 2025 Gallup poll reported a record 48 % view it as a serious personal threat.
Despite these numbers, Trump argued that the public would benefit financially from the rollback, asserting that the “era of climate regulations is dead, it’s over.”
Potential next steps
Analysts expect that the repeal could prompt legal challenges from states and environmental groups, given the finding’s long‑standing role in federal climate regulation.
Congress may face pressure to pass new legislation to address the regulatory gap, especially if public concern over climate impacts continues to rise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2009 “endangerment finding”?
It is a scientific determination made in 2009 that greenhouse‑gas emissions endanger public health and the environment, providing the legal basis for EPA regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants and other sources.
Why did President Trump decide to repeal it?
Trump said the finding was a “radical” policy that created a “mandate” for electric vehicles and that its removal would lower energy costs by allowing more fossil‑fuel development.
How have Democrats responded?
Democrats, including former President Obama, have condemned the repeal, stating it will make Americans “less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change” and will undermine the country’s climate‑action capabilities.
How do you think this policy shift will affect the upcoming midterm elections?
