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Trump’s EPA proposes rollback of basis for climate change rules, sparking Dem outrage

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1 month ago

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arkansasadvocate.com – Jacob Fischler – 2025-07-29 16:57:00


On July 29, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding that classified greenhouse gases as harmful, a decision foundational for regulating emissions. Zeldin argued the move would reduce uncertainty for automakers, lower costs, and boost the economy. The Trump-era EPA claims the previous regulation overstepped legal bounds, citing recent Supreme Court decisions, and plans to eliminate related vehicle emissions standards. Democrats and climate advocates condemned the action, warning it endangers public health, fuels climate change, and benefits corporate polluters. Legal challenges from state attorneys general are expected soon, with public comments open until September 21.

by Jacob Fischler, Arkansas Advocate
July 29, 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency submitted a proposal Tuesday to rescind a 2009 finding that has provided the foundation for the agency’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, drawing strong opposition from Democrats and climate groups.

Administrator Lee Zeldin said the EPA would scrap what is known as its endangerment finding, established under President Barack Obama. The determination called climate change a danger to human health and therefore gave the EPA power to regulate the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from cars and trucks.

The finding provided the framework for numerous EPA regulations, including a 2024 rule requiring increasingly strict tailpipe emissions standards.

But Zeldin, who announced the proposal during an appearance in Indianapolis, said that framework created uncertainty for auto manufacturers and buyers and hurt the wider economy.

President Donald Trump’s EPA would eliminate the finding, he said.

“With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end sixteen years of uncertainty for automakers and American consumers,” Zeldin said in a written statement. Under Obama and President Joe Biden, the agency “twisted the law, ignored precedent, and warped science to achieve their preferred ends and stick American families with hundreds of billions of dollars in hidden taxes every single year.”

The announcement touched off outrage from congressional Democrats and groups that advocate for strong action to curb the climate crisis.

“With this action, Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin are putting massive corporate polluters in the driver’s seat at EPA and it will be everyday Americans who pay the price – with their health, their energy bills, their jobs, their homes, and even with their lives,” House Energy and Commerce ranking Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey wrote in a statement.

“The only winners from this proposal are corporate polluters who will be allowed to dump unlimited pollution into our communities without any consequences.”

EPA denies it has authority

In a Tuesday notice in the Federal Register, the EPA said it would rescind all greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles, consistent with its opinion that the endangerment finding was unlawful.

“The EPA no longer believes that we have the statutory authority and record basis required to maintain this novel and transformative regulatory program,” the agency said.

Supreme Court cases in recent years, including a decision that limited the EPA’s power to regulate power plants and a decision that denied federal agencies were due deference in drafting regulations, indicated the endangerment finding overstepped, the EPA said in a news release.

Repealing the finding would increase consumer choice, lower prices for goods delivered by truck and save $54 billion annually in associated taxes, the EPA said.

The agency will accept public comments on the proposal until Sept. 21.

Health and economic impact

Despite the Trump EPA’s assertion that the move would save money for Americans, climate groups said the opposite was true, and that the finding would hurt access to alternative energy sources. 

“The reason (Trump) is doing this is not scientific,” former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in an interview with States Newsroom. “It’s just his slavish devotion to his billionaire friends in the oil and gas industry that he wants to help, and destroy the ability of Americans to get clean and cheap — I want to emphasize cheap — electricity. This is not just a health issue. It’s a financial health issue, basically denying Americans the ability to get the most reasonably priced electricity in America.”

Inslee, a Democrat who sought his party’s presidential nomination in 2020 on a platform that emphasized climate issues, is a national spokesperson and executive with the advocacy group Climate Power.

“It’s a reckless move that will make Americans less safe and hurt our economy by slowing the growth of affordable clean energy and fueling the heat waves, storms, floods, and wildfires that threaten people’s homes and communities,” U.S. House Natural Resources ranking Democrat Jared Huffman, of California, said in a statement.

Democrats and environmental groups also argued the scientific evidence clearly showed greenhouse gas emissions were harmful.

“You can’t with a straight face argue that pollution is not endangering human health,” Inslee said. “Look at the deaths that are piling up. Flash floods and heat domes, asthma and cardiovascular events. This stuff is bad for human health. I don’t know how you can make the argument otherwise.”

Lawsuits ahead

Legal challenges from Democratic attorney generals are almost certainly imminent, Inslee said Tuesday afternoon.

“If a lawsuit hasn’t been filed yet, I’ll have to call (Washington Attorney General) Nick Brown and tell him to hurry up,” he said. “It’s been a couple hours now.”

In a statement, Brown said he would “consider all options if EPA continues down this cynical path. We won’t stand by as our children’s future is sacrificed to appease fossil fuel interests.”

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Trump’s EPA proposes rollback of basis for climate change rules, sparking Dem outrage appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

This content presents a viewpoint that aligns with conservative and Republican perspectives, particularly emphasizing deregulation and skepticism toward climate change regulations implemented under Democratic administrations. It highlights EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s efforts to roll back Obama-era environmental protections, framing these actions as beneficial for the economy and consumer choice. While it includes critical responses from Democrats and environmental advocates, the overall tone and focus on deregulation and economic arguments reflect a center-right bias. The article maintains some balance by presenting opposition views but primarily centers on the deregulatory stance associated with conservative politics.

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News from the South - Arkansas News Feed

Sylvan Hills defeats Maumelle in Zero Week thriller

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2 days ago

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August 28, 2025

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www.youtube.com – THV11 – 2025-08-28 23:12:00

SUMMARY: Sylvan Hills ended a 20-game losing streak by defeating Maumelle 55-54 in a thrilling zero-week high school football game. Despite trailing at times, the Bears showcased resilience with key plays from Bubba Johnson and Tyler Hampton, tying the game 28-28 at halftime. Maumelle’s Levi Warrior made impressive catches, keeping the Hornets competitive. In the closing seconds, Maumelle nearly secured the win, but a controversial goal-line stop gave Sylvan Hills the victory. This dramatic opener signals an exciting 2025 season ahead, marking Sylvan Hills’ first win in two years and an intense start for both teams.

Sylvan Hills breaks a 20 game losing streak with a 55-54 win over.

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Catholic community in Fayetteville prays for Minneapolis victims, reflects on safety

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3 days ago

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August 27, 2025

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www.youtube.com – 40/29 News – 2025-08-27 21:29:53

SUMMARY: Father Jason Tyler of the Catholic community in Fayetteville reflects on the Minneapolis shooting, expressing sadness and anger over the senseless violence. He acknowledges the natural questioning of God’s presence during such tragedies. Despite the distance, the event feels close due to shared faith. Father Tyler assures families that St. Joseph prioritizes safety, with ongoing training for staff and recent security upgrades funded by grants. Counselors are available for students needing support, and he remains open to parents. He emphasizes the fragility of life and the importance of unity within communities as God’s people in response to such events.

Catholic community in Fayetteville prays for Minneapolis victims, reflects on safety

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Trump administration says CDC chief ousted, but her lawyer says she hasn’t resigned or been fired

Published

4 days ago

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August 27, 2025

By

arkansasadvocate.com – Jennifer Shutt – 2025-08-27 17:13:00


Susan Monarez, recently confirmed as CDC director, faces controversy after the Trump administration announced she is no longer leading the agency, though she has neither resigned nor been officially fired. Her attorneys claim she was targeted for refusing to follow unscientific political directives and remains committed to science and public health. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed her departure on social media. Monarez was Trump’s second CDC nominee after Dave Weldon withdrew. Her confirmation was narrowly approved by the Senate. The dispute has sparked concerns about politicization of the CDC and prompted other public health officials to consider resigning.

by Jennifer Shutt, Arkansas Advocate
August 27, 2025

WASHINGTON — The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t appear inclined to leave her post, despite the Trump administration announcing Wednesday that she’s no longer running one of the country’s top public health agencies. 

Attorneys for Susan Monarez, who received Senate confirmation in late July, posted that she hasn’t been fired or resigned, but didn’t announce whether they plan to sue the administration. 

“When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda,” wrote Mark S. Zaid and Abbe David Lowell. “For that, she has been targeted. Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor received notification from the White House that she has been fired, and as a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign.”

The statement from Monarez’s attorneys came just hours after the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, wrote on social media that she was no longer running the agency. 

“Susan Monarez is no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the post stated. “We thank her for her dedicated service to the American people. @SecKennedy has full confidence in his team at@CDCgov who will continue to be vigilant in protecting Americans against infectious diseases at home and abroad.”

The Washington Post first reported the news. 

The U.S. Senate voted along party lines to confirm Monarez as CDC director in late July, giving her just weeks in one of the nation’s top public health roles.

Monarez’s last post on social media from her official account was on Aug. 22, marking the death of a police officer after a gunman opened fire at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta. 

“A large group of CDC employees and I attended today’s memorial for Officer David Rose, whose Tour of Duty ended on August 8 when he responded to shots fired,” Monarez wrote. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, courage, and service to the community that will never be forgotten.”

The dispute over Monarez’s position as CDC director appeared to potentially mark the beginning of a wave of resignations from other public health officials, including Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Demetre C. Daskalakis.

“I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health,” Daskalakis wrote in a lengthy social media post. “The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.”

Monarez second choice after Weldon

Monarez was President Donald Trump’s second choice for CDC director. He originally selected former Florida U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon to run the CDC shortly after he secured election to the Oval Office in November. But the White House pulled Weldon’s nomination in March, after it appeared he couldn’t secure the votes needed for confirmation.

Later that month, Trump announced his plans to nominate Monarez in a social media post.

“Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience championing Innovation, Transparency, and strong Public Health Systems,” Trump wrote. “She has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and PostDoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

“As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future. Americans have lost confidence in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement. Dr. Monarez will work closely with our GREAT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. Together, they will prioritize Accountability, High Standards, and Disease Prevention to finally address the Chronic Disease Epidemic and, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!”

Restoring trust in CDC

Monarez testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in June as part of her confirmation process. The committee voted 12-11 in July to send her nomination to the Senate floor, where Republicans approved her to the post later that month. 

Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., said during the committee’s markup that he believed Monarez would put science first and help to restore public trust in the agency. 

“The United States needs a CDC director who makes decisions rooted in science, a leader who will reform the agency and work to restore public trust in health institutions,” Cassidy said at the time. “With decades of proven experience as a public health official, Dr. Monarez is ready to take on this challenge.”

Last updated 6:59 p.m., Aug. 27, 2025

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com.

The post Trump administration says CDC chief ousted, but her lawyer says she hasn’t resigned or been fired appeared first on arkansasadvocate.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This content exhibits a center-left political bias through its framing of Susan Monarez as a public health figure targeted for standing up to “unscientific, reckless directives” under the Trump administration, emphasizing her commitment to science and integrity. The article highlights criticism of political interference in public health agencies and portrays Monarez’s ousting in a critical light, which aligns with perspectives more commonly found on the center-left. While it presents direct quotes from officials and references bipartisan actions, the tone and selection of details suggest a tilt toward defending established scientific leadership against politically motivated decisions associated with the right-wing Trump administration.

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