California’s EV Rules Under Federal Fire

President Trump’s DOJ launches lawsuits to dismantle California’s illegal EV mandates, defending federal law and American auto workers from Sacramento’s overreach.

Story Highlights

DOJ and NHTSA sue California in federal courts to block EV enforcement via unlawful “Clean Truck Partnership” after Trump-signed CRA revokes Biden waivers.
Federal preemption under Clean Air Act overrides state rules impacting one-third of U.S. auto market, protecting consumer choice and industry jobs.
Auto industry leaders applaud move as rescue from mandates harming affordability and competitiveness.
California countersues while securing EV funding wins, escalating Trump-Newsom feud over state autonomy versus national standards.

DOJ Files Suits to Enforce Federal Supremacy

The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, filed complaints on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration against California. These suits target the California Air Resources Board’s enforcement of electric vehicle mandates through state-specific mileage requirements for manufacturers. Federal law under the Clean Air Act prohibits such state actions, which conflict with national fuel economy standards. The filings occurred in the Eastern District of California, Northern District of Illinois, and a court of appeals. Acting Assistant AG Adam Gustafson stressed enforcement of federal supremacy. This step halts California’s circumvention of revoked waivers.

Trump Revokes Biden-Era Waivers via CRA

President Trump signed Congressional Review Act resolutions on June 12, 2025, revoking EPA waivers granted in Biden’s final days. Those waivers allowed California’s 2035 gas car phaseout and diesel truck rules, adopted by 10+ states covering one-third of U.S. vehicle sales. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin back the action, arguing it rescues the auto sector from destruction. Unlike Trump’s 2019 revocation, this escalates to direct litigation against post-revocation “partnerships.” California shifted to voluntary Clean Truck Partnership deals with manufacturers to impose preempted standards. Federal preemption now overrides these efforts, prioritizing uniform national rules and consumer freedom to choose affordable vehicles over forced EV transitions that strain families and inflate costs.

California’s Resistance and Counter-Litigation

Governor Gavin Newsom and AG Rob Bonta defend California’s clean air authority, claiming 2.4 million zero-emission vehicles already on roads justify mandates. California countersued Trump and Zeldin over CRA use and won release of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law EV funds. Newsom’s executive order directs CARB to draft new rules and list compliant makers. Other states like New York and Washington joined California’s suits. Litigation rages in courts, with experts forecasting battles over CRA legality and preemption. Trump declares the rules fully preempted. This clash pits state climate goals against federal law, where conservative principles favor limited government interference in markets and individual vehicle choices over costly green agendas.

The auto industry, via Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella, opposes mandates as harmful to affordability, choice, and U.S. competitiveness. Uniform federal standards prevent a patchwork harming jobs and sales of reliable gas vehicles families prefer. Short-term, suits delay truck enforcement, boost gas sales, and avert highway fund cuts. Long-term, success dismantles the 2035 EV model, saving auto jobs while challenging California’s smog solutions. Legal watchdogs note GAO doubts on CRA for waivers, but Trump enforcement upholds constitutional federal authority over rogue states pushing globalist energy shifts that burden working Americans.

Trump DOJ Sues California to Kill Illegal EV Mandatehttps://t.co/SdmAQXg6AQ

— RedState (@RedState) March 12, 2026

Impacts on Workers, Families, and National Economy

Suits protect one-third of U.S. auto market from rules raising vehicle prices and limiting options amid inflation from past fiscal mismanagement. Industry relief aids competitiveness against foreign rivals, preserving manufacturing jobs in heartland states. California’s push ignores real harms like unreliable EV infrastructure and higher costs for families rejecting woke green mandates. Federal wins promote energy independence and practical solutions over virtue-signaling policies. Outcomes will shape emissions nationwide, reinforcing Trump’s commitment to American priorities over leftist overreach that erodes economic freedom and family budgets.