America Shouldn’t Surrender the Fight for a Stronger, Cleaner Future

(Washington, D.C. – January 20, 2025) President Trump said at his inauguration today that he intends to sign a series of executive orders that would allow his administration to undo progress on expanding clean energy, health protections rooted in science and law, and U.S. commitments to reduce the pollution that’s making storms, wildfires, flooding and droughts more severe and unpredictable.  

“America is at its best when it builds toward the future, strengthening the nation for what’s ahead and making life better for families. We’re seeing clean energy investments and strong pollution limits helping the American people right now. Taking them away would be a serious wrong turn. Unfortunately, President Trump’s statements today are an attempt to cling to the past – and will lead to fewer jobs, more pollution, more extreme weather and a less competitive America.

“The Trump administration’s agenda will make America weaker. Pulling back on the nation’s clean energy investments puts at risk hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs at electric vehicle and parts plants across the country. Weakening the Environmental Protection Agency and our nation’s clean air and water protections will mean more pollution and more asthma and health problems for kids and elderly Americans. Abandoning efforts to help Americans who live in neighborhoods that have long experienced too much pollution will have a devastating impact. Giving in to lobbyists who want no limits on climate-altering pollution will mean a more dangerous future for our children and grandchildren.  

“The country needs an agenda that actually helps American families. By investing in clean and affordable energy and strengthening protections for our air, water and climate, the United States has created hundreds of thousands of jobs while cutting the pollution that's harming people’s health and fueling destructive storms and skyrocketing insurance costs. 

“Communities, states and leading businesses are forging ahead with this vision for a better, brighter America. This is no time for surrender in the fight for American leadership and prosperity – and a healthy future for our kids.”  

            - Amanda Leland, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund