Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday blasted President Trump for his administration’s plan to strip California of its ability to determine its own vehicle regulations for greenhouse gas emissions.
“For 48 years – since one of my heroes, then-governor Ronald Reagan, requested it- California has had a waiver from the federal government to clean our own air,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement released on Twitter.
“If the President thinks he can win this fight, he’s out of his mind.”
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Schwarzenegger added that he’s “sick and tired of these fake conservatives who believe in states’ rights to make their own policies – as long as state policy is to pollute more. If you want to clean up your air, they throw federalism right out the window, I’ve had it with the so-called pro-business conservatives who ignore what actual industry leaders say is best for business.”
“I hope some conservatives with a conscience will act in Washington to defend California’s waiver based on these historic Republican values,” he said. “But if not, I’d remind them that California has won this battle before. We will win again.”
Schwarzenegger weighed in shortly after the Trump administration announced that it would move to roll back former President Obama’s fuel economy and global warming standards for cars. In addition, it plans to revoke a waiver for California that allows it to enact its own vehicle regulations for greenhouse gas emissions.
The administration’s rule aims to preempt California’s Clean Air Act (CAA) waiver and argues that it should be pulled entirely. It’s likely to set up a lengthy legal battle between California and the Trump administration.
Schwarzenegger and Trump have repeatedly criticized each other over the years, including during Trump’s presidency.
In June, Schwarzenegger slammed Trump’s efforts to help the struggling coal industry.
“It is foolish to bring back laughable, outdated technology to suit your political agenda,” Schwarzenegger, a leading advocate for action to prevent climate change, said.