POLITICO Energy Trump’s climate strategy put federal agencies at ‘significant’ legal risk, his lawyers warned
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Apr 28, 2025 Alex Guillén, an energy reporter for POLITICO Pro, reveals intriguing insights from internal government emails about the Trump administration's climate strategy. He exposes how lawyers flagged significant legal risks regarding the freezing of $20 billion in climate grants. Delving into complex internal discussions, Guillén highlights conflicts between political maneuvers and legal obligations. He also discusses the recent resignation of FERC Commissioner Willie Phillips, hinting at political influences in energy regulation.
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EPA Lawyers Warned of Legal Risks
- EPA lawyers warned there were significant legal vulnerabilities in freezing $20 billion climate grants. - Despite legal concerns, the Trump EPA proceeded and terminated the grants, escalating the legal battle.
Strong Legal Warnings Noted
- The term "significant legal vulnerability" by EPA lawyers is unusually strong, indicating high risk. - A former EPA general counsel suggested the administrator should have been directly informed given the risks.
Weak Evidence Behind EPA's Claims
- The Trump administration aggressively defended freezing grants citing criminal activities, but couldn't offer sufficient evidence in court. - Judges ruled EPA failed to justify claims of fraud, weakening their legal standing.