CNN 5 Things One Thing: Why Trump’s EPA Wants to Ditch Its Most Powerful Pollution Tool
Aug 3, 2025
Christine Todd Whitman, former New Jersey governor and EPA head under George W. Bush, discusses the alarming implications of the Trump administration's push to repeal the endangerment finding on climate change. She highlights how this move could potentially embolden polluters and ignores scientific consensus. The conversation also addresses the contrasting approaches of businesses towards environmental responsibility and the urgent need for regulations to protect public health and combat climate change, while stressing the risks of political polarization in environmental policy.
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EPA's Endangerment Finding Importance
- The EPA endangerment finding recognizes greenhouse gases as threats to human health and welfare.
- Repealing it would undermine federal efforts to regulate pollution and protect public health.
Motivation Behind Repeal Move
- The Trump administration's repeal aims to deny EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
- This rollback primarily serves polluting industries rather than public health.
Science vs Climate Denial
- The proposal relies on discredited climate contrarians to oppose mainstream science.
- Observable climate events like storms and floods prove climate change is worsening risks.