Trump Overrides California’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
President Trump signed legislation on Thursday to override California’s regulations aimed at making nearly all new vehicles electric by 2035. The move was part of a broader effort to reshape the US auto industry, with Trump claiming he would “officially rescue the US auto industry from destruction” by scrapping California’s ambitious regulatory plan for cars and trucks.
The legislation, which was signed in the White House East Room, effectively blocks 17 states — including New York and New Jersey — that follow California’s emissions rules. Trump boasted that the move was “permanent” and couldn’t be challenged in court. “They said it couldn’t be done,” Trump said, referring to the ambitious regulations passed in California. The state’s mandate required 100% of new cars to be “zero-emission vehicles” by 2035, with at least 80% being electric vehicles.
Shift in Energy Policy
Trump also announced plans to curtail the development of windmills, citing their negative environmental impact. “We’re not going to let windmills get built because we’re not going to destroy our country any further than it’s already been destroyed,” Trump said. He criticized the aesthetics of windmills, particularly around Palm Springs, California, describing them as a “junkyard” that starts to rust after 4.5 years after installation.
The president’s remarks highlighted a significant shift in energy policy, with a renewed focus on nuclear power and a rejection of renewable energy sources like wind power. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics likely to argue that it will hinder efforts to combat climate change.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) was the lone Democrat in the upper chamber to support the Republican legislation, while 35 Democrats in the House backed the measures. The move is seen as a major victory for the US auto industry, which had expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting California’s stringent emissions standards.
