Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, after Donald Trump was sworn into office, he immediately signed a series of executive orders that will put American consumers, businesses, and the economy at greater risk as his administration refuses to confront a worsening climate crisis.
These sweeping executive orders—from gutting environmental regulations and attacking responsible investing and clean energy policies, to withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement—clearly show that Trump is building an administration that works for billionaires and big business.
In response to Trump’s actions on his first day in office, here’s what experts had to say:
- Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes: “Trump’s day-one, fossil-only agenda will result in more horrific climate disasters like the devastating California wildfires and limit American energy options, raising utility bills for families and sending hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs to China. The only way the U.S. can be the global energy leader is to compete and win the race for clean energy. Trump will squander an opportunity to lower costs and build a stronger, more reliable energy grid if he refuses to recognize the promise of made-in-America clean energy.”
- Unlocking America’s Future Spokesperson Kyle Herrig: “Donald Trump’s relentless attacks on responsible investing are rooted in self-interest, putting the profits of his billionaire allies ahead of the long-term prosperity of American businesses and consumers. […] The Trump administration will be disastrous for the resilience of our financial systems, our leadership on a global stage, our pocketbooks, and our environment. Americans deserve better than self-serving politicians like Donald Trump who would rather risk the financial security of millions of Americans than say no to Big Oil or his wealthy donors.”
- David Arkush, Director of Public Citizen’s Climate Program: “Trump is making his priorities clear by pulling every lever he can to enrich his fossil fuel billionaire buddies at the expense of the American people. These orders will raise energy prices for American families, make us sicker, put our communities to the torch, and put the United States way behind in the race for the future of energy.”
Here is how Trump’s Day One executive orders will impact American consumers and businesses:
- Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord: Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord “will serve to amplify the voice of China, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter” on climate issues and strip “the United States of its ability to shape other countries’ pollution choices, putting Americans at even greater risk in the next round of terrible disasters” caused by climate change.
- Rescinding Executive Order 14030 (Climate-Related Financial Risk): Trump removed an order that directed federal regulators to better understand the financial risk posed by climate change.
- Ending Government DEI Programs means our government looks less like the American public at large while threatening civil rights progress.
- Declaring an “energy emergency” to increase fossil fuel production may sound urgent, but Trump’s actions will likely not drive down energy price inflation and could make it easier for big polluters to get away with poisoning our air and water.
Curtailing onshore and offshore wind energy could harm states that supported Trump during the 2024 election as Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming all get more than half their electric power from wind.
