Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with 14 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order declaring a "national energy emergency" under the National Emergencies Act. The suit claims that federal agencies are bypassing essential environmental review and permitting processes due to the president's directive.
The National Emergencies Act is intended for genuine emergencies like natural disasters. Historically, it has been used during events such as hurricanes and oil spills, including the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The current use of emergency procedures by federal agencies is criticized as being based solely on the president's order rather than an actual emergency.
The lawsuit argues that U.S. energy production is at an all-time high, questioning the basis of the declared emergency. It accuses the president of using emergency powers to maintain reliance on traditional energy sources like coal and gas while excluding renewable sources such as wind and solar.
Attorney General Ellison stated, "Once again, President Trump has unlawfully exceeded his authority, this time by fabricating a national emergency to bypass laws he disagrees with." He emphasized that the National Emergencies Act should not be used to circumvent environmental protections.
Filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the lawsuit names President Donald Trump, along with leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, as defendants. The attorneys general seek a court declaration that deems the president’s directive illegal and prevents further issuance of emergency permits under this order.
Joining Minnesota in this legal action are attorneys general from Washington, California—who led the effort—Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.