Trump Administration to Scrap Landmark Climate Regulation

EPA to revoke 'endangerment finding' that underpins US climate rules

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Trump administration is set to rescind the 2009 'endangerment finding' that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, a legal cornerstone of US climate regulations. This would immediately revoke federal emissions standards for vehicles and place other climate rules at legal risk.

Why it matters

The endangerment finding was a critical legal basis for the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Revoking it would undermine the federal government's ability to address climate change through regulation, a move that environmental groups say ignores science and puts public health at risk.

The details

The administration claims the regulations have imposed over $1 trillion in costs, but critics argue the benefits of climate protection, public health, and fuel savings outweigh the costs. Environmental groups have vowed to swiftly challenge the move in court, calling the EPA's legal arguments 'slapdash'.

  • On Thursday, President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will formally rescind the 2009 endangerment finding.
  • The 2009 endangerment finding was based on a 2007 Supreme Court decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, that directed the EPA to determine if greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who is set to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding.

Lee Zeldin

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency who will join President Trump to formalize the rescission of the endangerment finding.

Barack Obama

The former President who oversaw the 2009 endangerment finding that concluded greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic Governor of California who, along with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, condemned the administration's plan as 'unlawful' and 'ignoring basic science'.

Tony Evers

The Democratic Governor of Wisconsin who, along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the administration's plan as 'unlawful' and 'ignoring basic science'.

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What they’re saying

“This will be the largest deregulatory action in American history, and it will save the American people $1.3 trillion in crushing regulation.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (breitbart.com)

“This action is unlawful, ignores basic science, and denies reality. We know greenhouse gases cause climate change and endanger our communities and our health — and we will not stop fighting to protect the American people from pollution.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (breitbart.com)

“This action is unlawful, ignores basic science, and denies reality. We know greenhouse gases cause climate change and endanger our communities and our health — and we will not stop fighting to protect the American people from pollution.”

— Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin (breitbart.com)

“The EPA's slapdash legal arguments should be laughed out of court.”

— Meredith Hankins, Federal Climate Legal Director, Natural Resources Defense Council (breitbart.com)

“The administration is 'stoking oil demand at home by pushing for more gas guzzlers,' while presenting a gift to China's electric vehicle makers who would no longer face meaningful US competition.”

— Dan Becker, Director, Safe Climate Transport Campaign, Center for Biological Diversity (breitbart.com)

What’s next

The administration's move to rescind the endangerment finding is expected to face swift legal challenges from environmental groups and Democratic-led states.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's decision to revoke the legal foundation for federal climate regulations reflects its continued efforts to prioritize fossil fuel interests over environmental protection and public health. This action will likely face significant legal and political opposition as the battle over the role of science in policymaking continues.