Trump’s DOJ STRIKES BACK: California’s EV Mandates CRUSHED

California’s aggressive push to force electric vehicles on Americans defies federal law, prompting President Trump’s DOJ to sue and defend consumer choice against radical green mandates.

Story Highlights

DOJ and NHTSA sue California to block illegal EV mandates enforced through state mileage rules and “Clean Truck Partnership,” violating Clean Air Act preemption.
Trump signed CRA resolutions on June 12, 2025, revoking Biden-era EPA waivers that enabled California’s 2035 gas car phaseout.
Auto industry cheers the move, citing harm to affordability, choice, and jobs from forced EV shift.
California countersues while 11+ states follow its rules, impacting one-third of U.S. auto market.
Federal action promotes uniform standards, rescues manufacturers, and prioritizes American workers over globalist climate agendas.

DOJ Launches Lawsuits Against California’s EV Overreach

The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, filed lawsuits on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration against California. These suits target the state’s enforcement of electric vehicle mandates via specific mileage requirements for car manufacturers. Federal law under the Clean Air Act preempts such state actions. The filings occurred in the Eastern District of California, Northern District of Illinois, and a court of appeals. This enforces federal supremacy over vehicle standards.

Trump Revokes Biden Waivers, Ends Illegal Mandates

President Trump signed Congressional Review Act resolutions into law on June 12, 2025, revoking EPA waivers granted in Biden’s final days. Those waivers allowed California’s stricter emissions rules, including a 2035 phaseout of gas-powered passenger cars and diesel truck cleanups. Post-revocation, California’s Air Resources Board shifted to the “Clean Truck Partnership” with manufacturers to impose preempted standards. Trump declared these rules fully preempted, protecting national auto policy from state circumventions. This builds on his first-term efforts to revoke similar waivers in 2019.

California’s Defiance and Counterattacks

Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta defend California’s clean air authority, boasting 2.4 million zero-emission vehicles on roads. California countersued Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over CRA use and won release of EV infrastructure funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Newsom’s executive order directs CARB to draft new mandates and list compliant manufacturers. Ten-plus states, like New York and Washington, joined California’s suits, amplifying the challenge. Litigation continues with uncertain outcomes on CRA legality.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and NHTSA co-plaintiffs argue state mileage rules conflict with federal fuel economy regulations. Acting Assistant AG Adam Gustafson stressed respect for federal law in blocking CARB’s partnerships. Precedents include past federal threats to withhold highway funds for non-compliance.

Industry Support and Broader Impacts

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, led by CEO John Bozzella, opposes mandates as harmful to affordability, consumer choice, and U.S. competitiveness. Uniform federal rules benefit manufacturers facing rules in one-third of the U.S. market. Short-term effects include delayed truck emissions enforcement and boosted gas vehicle sales, aiding auto jobs. Long-term, this could dismantle California’s 2035 EV model, prioritizing economic reality over aggressive climate goals that burden families.

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

— RedState (@RedState) March 12, 2026

California’s smog issues in Los Angeles and the Central Valley persist, but federal preemption ensures states cannot dictate nationwide vehicle policy. Experts predict prolonged court battles, with Trump administration eyeing sanctions if needed. This victory aligns with conservative principles of limited government overreach and protecting working Americans from costly green experiments.