Trump-Era Endangerment Finding Repeal Divides Blue, Red States

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The Trump administration's repeal of the EPA's endangerment finding, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health, has again pitted blue and red states against each other. Democratic-led states like California, Massachusetts, Washington, and Colorado have vowed to sue over the move, arguing it violates the law and ignores climate science. However, some conservative states including West Virginia, Nebraska, Kentucky, and Alaska have applauded the repeal.

Why it matters

The endangerment finding was a key legal and scientific basis for federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Its repeal by the Trump EPA removes that foundation, setting up a new battle between environmentally-conscious blue states and fossil fuel-friendly red states over the future of climate policy.

The details

The endangerment finding, first established in 2009 under the Obama administration, concluded that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. This provided the legal justification for the EPA to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act. The Trump EPA has now repealed this finding, arguing it was an overreach. Blue states say they will challenge the repeal in court, while some red states welcome the move as a victory for their energy industries.

• The endangerment finding was first established in 2009 under the Obama administration.
• The Trump administration's EPA repealed the endangerment finding on February 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The blue states planning to sue the EPA over the repeal will likely file their legal challenges in the coming weeks.