States, Cities Sue to Overturn Trump Climate Rollbacks

Legal challenge targets EPA decision to revoke scientific basis for U.S. climate regulations.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:04pm

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A coalition of three dozen states, cities, and counties led by New York and California has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to revoke the scientific finding that forms the basis of U.S. climate regulations. The lawsuit also targets the EPA's move to repeal tailpipe emissions rules for cars and trucks.

Why it matters

This legal action represents a major pushback against the Trump administration's efforts to roll back federal climate policies and regulations. The plaintiffs argue the administration's decisions were unlawful and ignored established climate science.

The details

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenges the EPA's February announcement to repeal the Obama-era tailpipe emissions rules. It also targets the administration's decision to revoke the scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare, which is the legal foundation for U.S. climate regulations.

  • The lawsuit was filed on March 18, 2026.
  • In February 2026, the EPA announced plans to repeal the tailpipe emissions rules.

The players

New York

One of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, representing a coalition of states, cities, and counties challenging the Trump administration's climate policy rollbacks.

California

One of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, representing a coalition of states, cities, and counties challenging the Trump administration's climate policy rollbacks.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that announced plans in February 2026 to repeal the Obama-era tailpipe emissions rules, which are now being challenged in court.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration's decisions to roll back climate regulations are being challenged in the lawsuit.

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What’s next

The lawsuit will now proceed through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, where the judges will consider the plaintiffs' arguments against the Trump administration's climate policy decisions.

The takeaway

This legal challenge underscores the ongoing battle between states, cities, and the federal government over climate change policy. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of U.S. climate regulations.