Appeals court tosses kids’ challenge to Trump energy orders
The panel said the plaintiffs could only speculate that the orders caused their injuries and could not show an injunction would stop emissions.
- On Tuesday, the Ninth Circuit Court dismissed an appeal by 22 young plaintiffs seeking to block President Donald Trump's executive orders boosting fossil-fuel development, affirming that their climate injuries lacked direct legal connection to the orders.
- Filed in May 2025, Eva Lighthiser and 20 others sued to challenge three executive orders directing federal agencies to "unleash" American energy and expedite fossil fuel extraction, which plaintiffs characterized as creating a "national energy emergency."
- The appellate panel ruled claims were speculative, noting that enjoining the executive orders would improperly place the District Court in charge of executive branch energy policy—an "extraordinary and unprecedented role" for an unelected branch.
- Julia Olson, co-director of Our Children's Trust, criticized the decision for allowing a "sweeping fossil fuel agenda" without Congressional authorization, while Lighthiser stressed the court ignored "undisputed facts" about real-world injuries.
- Praising the ruling as a "huge win" for the state, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen noted the decision reinforces District Judge Dana Christensen's earlier dismissal, effectively barring broad climate litigation against federal energy policy.
14 Articles
14 Articles
ABC FOX Montana
KULR-TVNinth Circuit upholds dismissal of Montana climate case against Trump energy orders
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the dismissal of the youth-led climate lawsuit Lighthiser v. Trump, ruling the plaintiffs lacked legal standing and that their grievances should be addressed through political processes rather than the courts.
9th Circ. Won't Recharge Kids' Suit Over Trump's Energy EOs
A Ninth Circuit panel refused Tuesday to revive a group of youths' legal challenge of President Donald Trump's executive orders spurring the use of fossil fuels to meet the country's energy needs, concluding the plaintiffs "can only speculate" that the orders will trigger agency decisions that ultimately intensify climate change.
Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Climate Challenge Suit Against Trump
A federal appeals court upheld on Tuesday the dismissal of a lawsuit brought on behalf of 22 children challenging President Donald Trump’s executive orders promoting fossil fuel development. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed that the plaintiffs in Lighthiser v. Donald J. Trump lacked standing to pursue the claims. “The appellate court unanimously affirmed what the district court said months ago—the plaintiffs lacked standing…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
