Washington sues Trump over 'fake energy emergency,' seeks to protect sacred tribal land

Washington state has filed a lawsuit, joined by 14 other states, against President Trump's declaration of a "national energy emergency," which they argue primarily benefits fossil fuel companies. Attorney General Nick Brown criticized the order for potentially increasing energy prices for American consumers while U.S. energy production remains high. The lawsuit contends that the declaration seeks to bypass critical environmental protections, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Brown stated that this move is illegal and harmful to Washington residents, asserting that it does not genuinely enhance energy supply or safety. The lawsuit names Trump, the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as defendants. Additionally, Casey Sixkiller from the Washington Department of Ecology highlighted the importance of existing environmental regulations. The attorneys general are asking the court to declare the presidential directive illegal and to prevent emergency permits from being issued. This case represents a significant clash between state authority and federal energy initiatives, particularly concerning tribal land protections.