Trump could face fewer hurdles to overhaul the EPA in a second term

Donald Trump, if re-elected, would likely face fewer legal and bureaucratic barriers to significantly alter environmental and climate regulations, leveraging a more favorable judicial landscape and conservative support.

Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.

In short:

Trump's previous attempts to roll back environmental regulations were often blocked by courts and internal resistance.
Project 2025, led by conservative allies, outlines plans to weaken the EPA's authority on climate rules and environmental protections.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority could facilitate Trump's regulatory changes, posing a challenge to existing environmental policies.

Key quote:

"It's going to be easier. They’re going to have better people, more committed people, more experienced people."

— Myron Ebell, former EPA transition leader

Why this matters:

A weakened EPA could result in reduced efforts to combat climate change, affecting global warming mitigation. Regulatory changes may increase environmental risks and undermine public health protections.

www.nytimes.com

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