24 States Sue Trump EPA Over Rollback of Key Climate Protections

A coalition of 24 US states and the District of Columbia has taken legal action against the Trump administration. The lawsuit follows the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to revoke a 2009 ruling that classified carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases as threats to public health. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as an act of corruption favouring oil interests over clean air.

The legal challenge was filed on March 19 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. States including California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington joined forces to contest the EPA's reversal. The 2009 Endangerment Finding had long served as the foundation for federal climate regulations.

Governor Newsom accused the administration of prioritising wealthy polluters over ordinary citizens. In a statement, he warned that families and workers would suffer from dirtier air if the EPA's decision stood. He also vowed to fight what he called lawlessness in court. No federal measures to reinstate the 2009 finding have been announced since its revocation in February 2026. The lawsuit now places the dispute in the hands of the courts.

The case will determine whether the EPA's reversal of the 2009 ruling can be upheld. If successful, the states' challenge could force the federal government to reconsider its stance on greenhouse gas regulations. The outcome may also set a precedent for future environmental policy battles.