President Donald Trump is under legal fire again — this time from a coalition of 15 states that claim his administration is illegally fast-tracking energy projects by sidestepping critical environmental protections.
The lawsuit, filed Friday and led by Washington and California attorneys general, accuses Trump, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of the Interior of violating the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. These states argue that the administration’s actions threaten public lands, wildlife habitats, and essential natural resources.
The executive order at the heart of the dispute was issued during Trump’s first days back in office. It declared a “National Energy Emergency” and aimed to speed up approvals for infrastructure and energy projects, especially on federal lands. Critics say the order enables agencies to ignore required environmental and historic preservation reviews.
“By cutting corners, this order puts our environment and communities at serious risk,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We’re taking action to stop it.”
The lawsuit claims Trump’s push to expand domestic energy production — summarized by his 2024 campaign slogan, “Drill, baby, drill” — is not only unlawful but could cause irreversible damage to ecosystems and public health.
Legal experts say the case could mark a major turning point in the ongoing battle over executive power and environmental law.
