The Trump Administration and Environmental Policy, One Year in

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26686/pq.v22i1.10498

Keywords:

climate change, pollution control, government capabilities, scientific qualities

Abstract

President Donald Trump’s administration delivered a tumultuous year for the United States in 2025. These changes were most obvious for climate change, where Trump cancelled Joe Biden’s policies, withdrew from global organisations and agreements, and destroyed scientific capabilities at federal agencies. The administration eliminated environmental justice efforts across the government and acted under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to increase public health risks while favouring business. These are the main changes, but lost expertise and cuts in capacities are not encouraging. The Trump administration is attempting to transform the federal role in environmental protection.

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Author Biography

Daniel J. Fiorino, American University

Daniel J. Fiorino is a faculty member and director of the Center for Environmental Policy in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC.

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Published

2026-02-20

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026): Policy Quarterly

Section

Articles

License

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