Trump Admin Sues To Block Blue States From Taking Fossil Fuel Companies To Court Over Climate Change
UPDATE: Complete Debunk: Hawaii AG Files Climate Change Lawsuit in State Court
by Audrey Streb, Daily Caller News Foundation, May 01, 2025
The Trump administration filed lawsuits Wednesday against Michigan and Hawaii (UPDATE: and New York and Vermont) in an attempt to block the states from seeking damages in court against fossil fuel companies for alleged environmental harm.
The complaint filed against Michigan, the state’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, claims that Michigan’s anticipated lawsuit against the fossil fuel industry interferes with U.S. policy on greenhouse gas regulation and is an “extraordinary extraterritorial reach.” Similarly, the complaint against Hawaii, the state’s Democratic Gov. Josh Green and the state’s Attorney General Anne Lopez, was filed due to the state’s plan to take legal action against fossil fuel companies for their alleged impact on climate change.
Though neither state has filed a lawsuit as of yet, the planned legal actions could drive up energy prices and interfere with how fossil fuel production is regulated, according to the complaints filed by lawyers with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
“At a time when States should be contributing to a national effort to secure reliable sources of domestic energy, Michigan is choosing to stand in the way,” the complaint said. “This Nation’s Constitution and laws do not tolerate this interference,” it continues. The complaint against Hawaii repeats near-identical language.
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BACKGROUND:
DOCUMENTS:
COVERAGE:
- JDS: Trump Administration Files Preemptive Lawsuits Against Hawaii and Michigan to Block Climate Change Litigation | Mintz - JDSupra
- KHON April 28, 2025: Hawaii to file lawsuit against fossil fuel companies | KHON2
- IJ: Trump Administration Sues Michigan to Halt State’s Fossil Fuel Lawsuit Plan
- AP: Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan over plans to combat climate harm | AP News
- B: Trump DOJ Sues to Block Michigan and Hawaii Climate Change Suits
- NYT: Hawaii Announced a Climate Lawsuit. So the Government Sued Hawaii First. - The New York Times
- FB: Trump Admin Sues Michigan and Hawaii Over States' Plans To Pursue Climate Damages From Oil and Gas Industry
- WT: Trump DOJ sues Michigan, Hawaii over planned climate change lawsuits against oil companies - Washington Times
- L360: Feds Sue To Block Hawaii, Michigan Climate Lawsuits - Law360
- NYP: Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions
- R: Trump administration sues four Democratic-led states to block climate laws, lawsuits | Reuters
- AP: Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions - ABC News
- TG: Justice department sues Michigan and Hawaii over climate suits against big oil | Trump administration | The Guardian
- CN: Trump sues states over potential climate change action | Courthouse News Service
- CN: Hawaii sues oil companies | Courthouse News Service
- HNN: Hawaii sues big oil companies for climate deception, despite DOJ attempt to block lawsuit
- Hawai`i Sues Big Oil for Climate Deception | Center for Climate Integrity (CLUE: CCI is Sher-Edling)
- J: US Justice Department sues four states over climate initiatives - JURIST - News
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