While the Trump administration continues its methodical dismantling of environmental initiatives, the Green Deal has effectively been gutted through a series of targeted executive actions. The federal wind energy permitting freeze has brought the industry to its knees, halting projects that would have powered millions of homes. Over 3.5 million acres of offshore potential? Gone. Just like that.
The Northeast states relying on imported natural gas are especially feeling the pinch, with workers facing layoffs and project cancellations mounting daily. The Department of Interior has added new procedural requirements for wind and solar projects on federal lands, further obstructing clean energy development. Environmental advocacy groups have implemented enhanced security measures to protect themselves from intimidation during this period of heightened scrutiny. This obstruction continues while air pollution deaths remain the second leading risk factor for mortality worldwide.
Money talks. And right now, it’s saying “fossil fuels only, please.” The administration canceled over $15 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds earmarked for renewable energy and carbon removal. EV chargers? The $6 billion program vanished. Battery manufacturing subsidies? Eliminated. The message is crystal clear – private sector can handle it. Or not. Whatever.
Follow the money to see the priorities: fossil fuels get a blank check while renewable energy funds evaporate.
The sabotage extends beyond our borders. U.S. officials actively undermined the European Union’s “Farm to Fork” sustainable agriculture policy. They hired PR firms with cozy ties to agrochemical giants to discredit organic farming while defending pesticides and GMOs. Internal USDA documents exposed the whole operation.
Can’t have those pesky Europeans raising environmental standards that might hurt American exports!
Carbon capture investments took a brutal hit too. $3.7 billion in decarbonization funds? Canceled. The $3.5 billion direct air capture program hasn’t been officially killed, but with Department of Energy layoffs and frozen funds, it might as well be. Projects are stalled. Innovation is suffocating.
Meanwhile, 17 states and D.C. have filed lawsuits challenging the wind permitting freeze. Environmental groups are backing them, but the administration isn’t budging. The climate clock keeps ticking while U.S. contributions to global green funds have been slashed to zero.
The Global Environment Facility? Climate Investment Funds? Not on this administration’s watch. Guess saving the planet just isn’t profitable enough.
References
- https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2025/07/31/trump-admin-blocking-clean-energy-and-raising-costs/
- https://www.eenews.net/articles/green-groups-gird-for-life-in-trumps-crosshairs/
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ending-the-Green-New-Scam-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2024/09/29/how-trump-s-administration-used-influence-and-misinformation-campaigns-to-torpedo-eu-green-deal_6727627_114.html
- https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/10/united-states-geoengineering-carbon-removal-bipartisan-backlash?lang=en
- https://www.theexamination.org/articles/trump-energy-secretary-pushed-legal-attack-on-green-investing
