California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has called the current Trump Administration “Code Red” for American climate leadership. His comments come in response to President Donald Trump repealing the endangerment finding on Feb. 12, the landmark rule that gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gasses.
“Pollution is an act of theft in the health of a nation,” Newsom said during a panel at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Feb. 13. “Never in the history of the United States of America has there been a more destructive president than the current occupant in the White House in Washington, D.C. He’s trying to recreate the 19th century. He’s a wholly owned subsidiary of big oil, gas, and coal.”
Newsom’s reaction echoed that of Former President Barack Obama who yesterday said that repealing the endangerment finding, which was established during his administration, would make the U.S. less safe, writing on social media, “Today, the Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding: the ruling that served as the basis for limits on tailpipe emissions and power plant rules. 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.”
Read more: The History of the Endangerment Finding
On the world stage, Newsom aimed to assure leaders that California, the fourth largest economy in the world, was not backing down from the climate fight. Greenhouse gas emissions in California have gone down 21% since 2000, and in 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy, making it the largest economy in the world to achieve this level.
Last week, in the face of the federal government’s efforts to support the electric vehicle industry, the governor announced a $200 million proposal to revive the state’s EV market, which would require automakers to match dollar-for-dollar state incentives. “What Donald Trump just did yesterday with the endangerment finding, by basically eliminating any federal regulations, not just on power plants, methane, but also tailpipe emissions, I think, was writing a death sentence to legacy American automobile manufacturers,” he said. “You talk about innovation, it’s been California’s regulation in this space that’s driven manufacturing innovation that allows American automobile manufacturers to be competitive globally.”
Read more: The End of Climate Regulation As We Know It
Newsom, a 2028 presidential hopeful, argued that it is possible to make climate appeal to voters across parties in the next election given that many communities are already experiencing the impact of a warming planet, from wildfires to flooding. “Places, lifestyles, traditions are being wiped off the map. This issue has been brought home in a very personal way, not a political way,” he said. “It’s becoming uninsurable. This is an economic issue, not just a moral issue. It’s not just a competitiveness issue, and so it’s incredibly important that we talk in those terms to address some of the political dynamics.”
Read more: All of the U.S. Government’s Anti-Climate Moves In the Last 7 Days
Despite federal rollbacks, Newsom assured the crowd that California will remain committed to the climate fight. “Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years. California is a stable and reliable partner in this space, and it’s important for folks to understand the temporary nature of this current administration in relationship [sic] to the issue of climate change and climate policy.”
He also urged corporate leaders to take a stand against Trump. “I think this is a moral moment across the board…We have to stand up with more clarity and conviction, and we have to be more consistent. People don’t speak up because they’re afraid of retaliation,” he said. “Well, you know, buck up.”
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