All the ways Trump is shredding Obama’s climate agenda – Politico
If President Donald Trump pulls out of the Paris agreement, it will be the latest step in his determined campaign to erase former President Barack Obama's green agenda. | AP Photo
President Donald Trump's expected decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement is a huge morale blow to the worldwide effort to head off the worst effects of global warming. But it's just the latest step in his determined campaign to erase Barack Obama's green agenda.
Pulling out of the Paris deal means that the United States the world's second-largest producer of greenhouse gases would no longer take part in the most comprehensive international pact ever crafted on climate change, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only holdouts among nearly 200 nations.
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But Trump's domestic environmental efforts will have the most immediate real-world impact on the planet's fate, by halting Obama's attempts to achieve steep cuts in U.S. carbon emissions and shift the country away from fossil fuels. The impact of those regulation rollbacks and other steps could be equivalent to adding almost 2 percent to the world's carbon output by 2025 compared with Obama's targets, based on recent analyses at a time when climate researchers say the world urgently needs to accelerate its reductions.
This is POLITICO's rundown of the steps Trump has already set in motion:
Trump ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to take the first steps toward repealing Obamas Clean Power Plan, a suite of curbs on greenhouse gas pollution from thousands of existing power plants. Those restrictions, and a separate regulation on future plants, would have encouraged power companies to shift away from coal.
The administration lifted Obamas freeze on new coal leases on federal land, and halted the Interior Departments formal environmental review of coal leasing charges.
Interior announced it will repeal an Obama-era rule that threatened to increase companies royalty payments for coal, oil and natural gas they extract on federal lands.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry ordered a 60-day review of tax and regulatory policies that are responsible for forcing the premature retirement of baseload power plants, language suggesting the report will criticize federal support for wind and solar power.
Trump ordered Interior to end restrictions on oil drilling in Arctic waters, and told it to consider opening up the Atlantic coast for drilling.
He ordered Interior to rewrite a 2015 rule that called for tighter environmental standards for fracked oil and gas wells on public lands. He also ordered reviews of a rule on offshore oil well safety, as well as one relating to air quality evaluations for offshore oil and gas drillers.
He signed a congressional repeal of an Interior Department land-use planning update after fossil fuel companies complained it would hurt their access to federal lands.
EPA withdrew a request for information from oil and gas companies about methane emissions from their operations. The Obama administrations request had been seen as an early step toward regulating those sources.
Trump ordered the Commerce Department to review all marine sanctuaries established or expanded in the past 10 years for possible oil and natural gas drilling opportunities.
He reversed Obamas denial of a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to allow final construction on the Dakota Access pipeline. Neither project would have much impact on the climate by itself, but the moves sent a strong signal of the administrations intention to increase fossil fuel production.
Trumps 2018 budget request proposed a 31 percent cut to EPAs budget, which especially targeted its climate programs. He also proposed cutting climate research at other agencies, including Interiors U.S. Geological Survey.
EPA reassigned employees who had been working on adapting to the effects of climate change.
Trump called for eliminating DOEs loan program and its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, which supports commercially risky technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The administration also sought deep cuts to offices devoted to fossil, nuclear and renewable energy as well as energy efficiency.
DOE placed a hold on funding for nearly two dozen ARPA-E projects. Only three have gotten approval under the Trump administration.
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All the ways Trump is shredding Obama's climate agenda - Politico
- Fugees Pras Michl sentenced to 14 years over illegal Obama donations - The Washington Post - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
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- Fugees rapper sentenced to 14 years in prison over illegal Obama donations - Al Jazeera - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- How a St. Thomas Education Major Earned an Obama-Chesky Scholarship - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
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- Michelle Obama Revealed The Blunt Reason Why She Won't Run For President - thelist.com - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
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- How millions of dollars in donations to Obama campaign landed Fugees rapper in jail - The Telegraph - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Fugees rapper Pras Michel sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal donations to Obama campaign - The Haitian Times - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
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- Missteps with Obama Presidential Center shouldn't be the norm - Chicago Sun-Times - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says the U.S. is 'not ready' for a woman president - NBC News - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
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- UK Twitter hacker who breached Obama's account ordered to repay $5.4 million in Bitcoin - Reuters - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
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- The Trump prosecutor probing former top Obama administration officials - The Washington Post - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
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- Obama and Biden's relationship has deteriorated, 'really bad' since election: ABC reporter - Yahoo - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Matt Walsh attacks Michelle Obama again after viral clip shows her speaking on Black women and hair press - The Times of India - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- NEWS: Twitter hacker who breached Obama and Musk accounts forced to repay 4m - AML Intelligence - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama said what youre not ready to hear - The Baltimore Banner - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Obama doesnt receive royalties from Obamacare - Daily Herald - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama has been slammed after she claimed America is not ready to elect a female as president. - facebook.com - November 18th, 2025 [November 18th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Rocks Double Denim in Throwback Shot Amid Release of Her Style Book - Yahoo - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Obama once urged Black men to back Harris then he, Democrats reversed race rhetoric legacy in 2025 - Fox News - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
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- Michelle Obama on East Wing demolition: We always felt it was the peoples house - The Hill - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
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- Michelle Obama Wears One of the Best Dresses of the Spring Collections - Vogue - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Obama celebrates Tuesday wins and tells progressives that voters are rejecting the Trump agenda - AP News - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
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- '44 The Musical' Off-Broadway review staging the song-and-dance of Obama-era politics - New York Theatre Guide - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- 44 The Musical: The Obama Years, Satirized with Four-Letter Words - New York Stage Review - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
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- Before Trump, Obama used the federal government to strong-arm private institutions and states - Washington Examiner - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
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- Video Obama: 'Country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now' - ABC News - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama criticizes the Trump administration while speaking in Virginia. - Brut - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]