Trump Terminates Obama-Era Emissions Rules, Citing Costs to Auto Industry

Former President Obama criticizes the move, saying it will make Americans "less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change".

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Trump announced the termination of the Obama-era "endangerment finding" that classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. This finding was used to introduce electric vehicle mandates and fuel efficiency standards that Trump says "severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers." Trump claims this action will eliminate over $1.3 trillion in regulatory costs and lower the average cost of a new vehicle by nearly $3,000.

Why it matters

The rollback of Obama-era emissions rules is a major deregulatory action that fulfills a key promise from Trump's 2016 campaign. However, it faces strong pushback from environmental groups and the Biden administration, who argue it will undermine efforts to combat climate change and protect public health.

The details

Trump said the Obama EPA's "endangerment finding" was the legal basis for "the massive and really, very expensive electric vehicle mandate" as well as the automatic engine start-stop feature on newer cars. He is terminating that finding, along with "all additional green emission standards imposed unnecessarily on vehicle models and engines between 2012 and 2027 and beyond."

  • On February 12, 2026, President Trump announced the termination of the Obama-era emissions rules.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who announced the termination of the Obama-era emissions rules.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States who implemented the emissions rules that Trump is now repealing.

Lee Zeldin

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency who joined Trump in announcing the rule changes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This action will eliminate over $1.3 trillion of regulatory costs and help bring car prices tumbling down dramatically. You're going to get a better car. You're going to get a car that starts easier, a car that works better for a lot less money.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (The Gateway Pundit)

“Without it, we'll be less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change — all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.”

— Barack Obama (Twitter)

What’s next

The Biden administration is expected to challenge the repeal of the emissions rules in court, setting up a legal battle over the future of climate regulations.

The takeaway

This move by the Trump administration represents a major shift away from the Obama-era focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, prioritizing the interests of the auto industry over environmental protection.