Trump Administration Revokes Key Climate Change Finding

Experts say the move has no basis in fact or law, despite claims from Trump and EPA chief Zeldin.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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President Donald Trump on Thursday revoked the 2009 endangerment finding, which has long been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. However, Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made false claims about the scientific basis and legal standing of the finding.

Why it matters

The endangerment finding was a critical legal underpinning for federal regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Revoking it could undermine future efforts to curb emissions and protect public health from the impacts of a warming climate.

The details

The endangerment finding was adopted in 2009 by the EPA after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that greenhouse gases are air pollutants that can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Scientific evidence supporting the finding was provided by the EPA at the time and is still available on the agency's website. Multiple federal courts have upheld the endangerment finding since it was adopted 16 years ago. Despite Trump and Zeldin's claims, experts say the idea that the finding has no basis in law or fact is "ludicrous."

  • The endangerment finding was adopted in 2009.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that greenhouse gases are air pollutants that can be regulated under the Clean Air Act.
  • Trump revoked the endangerment finding on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who revoked the endangerment finding.

Lee Zeldin

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump administration.

Ann Carlson

A professor of environmental law at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Carrie Jenks

The executive director of Harvard Law School's environmental and energy law program.

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What they’re saying

“The idea that the endangerment finding has no basis in law is ludicrous. The Supreme Court in Massachusetts v. EPA specifically directed the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. The endangerment finding is the result.”

— Ann Carlson, Professor of environmental law

“If you looked at some of the tables that were in the Biden rules, you could see that there were a variety of different ways that companies could comply with the standards. The endangerment finding nor the regulations mandated a shift from one type of vehicle to another.”

— Carrie Jenks, Executive director of Harvard Law School's environmental and energy law program

What’s next

The revocation of the endangerment finding is expected to face legal challenges, as the scientific and legal basis for the finding has been well-established.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's move to revoke the endangerment finding is widely seen as an attempt to undermine efforts to address climate change, despite overwhelming scientific evidence and legal precedent supporting the finding. This action could have significant implications for future environmental regulations and public health protections.