Rep. Jamie Raskin probes oil companies over alleged Trump donation meeting

Rep. Jamie Raskin is demanding details from oil industry leaders about a reported meeting with Donald Trump, where deregulation promises were allegedly exchanged for campaign donations.

Erin Mansfield reports for USA Today.


In short:

  • The inquiry involves letters sent to companies like ExxonMobil after claims Trump offered regulatory rollbacks for $1 billion in campaign support.
  • According to a spokesperson, the American Petroleum Institute engages with various political figures, emphasizing industry topics like energy security.
  • Raskin's letters cite concerns over potential ethical and legal violations stemming from the reported promises of policy changes for donations.

Why this matters:

The investigation suggests a direct link between political contributions and policy making, a situation that raises questions about the influence of money in politics and its impact on sustainable environmental practices. This scenario could set a worrying precedent where environmental protections become secondary to corporate profits.

United Nations logo at the UN headquarter in New York City

UN votes to support action on climate change despite US opposition

The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to support strong action to prevent climate change despite recent diplomatic efforts by the United States to have the measure withdrawn.
An illustration of a gas pump with golden coins floating out of it

Could the Iran war shrink global oil demand for good?

As the oil crisis deepens across the globe, households and industries are reducing fossil fuel use — maybe permanently.

A view of the Denver skyline at dusk with the moon rising behind the mountains

Denver has a plan to heat and cool buildings without fossil fuels. It involves sewage

Heating and cooling skyscrapers requires a lot of fossil fuels. Now, Denver, Colorado, is trying a surprising solution.

Crowd of mostly children and adults demonstrate displeasure over anti-science, anti-climate, policies.

Eva vs. Goliath: the 20-year-old climate activist taking on Trump and the fossil fuel industry

Young Americans are suing the president for violating rights with executive orders that fuel the climate crisis.

Flag of India juxtaposed with solar panels
Credit: Anton_Medvedev/BigStock Photo ID: 326772526

A first among major nations, India is industrializing with solar

While China's push to modernize sparked a surge in burning coal, India is turning to increasingly cheap solar to meet its booming energy needs.

Solar panels on Bangladeshi city rooftop in Dhaka

Bangladesh’s energy crunch highlights the promise — and limits — of solar

As Bangladesh grapples with fuel shortages, power plant outages, and rising energy import costs, the country’s small but growing solar sector is helping cushion the grid against widespread blackouts.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.