During a rally in Coachella on Saturday, Donald Trump vowed to block California’s plan to ban gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 if re-elected. Addressing a crowd of thousands, Trump declared, “I will not allow California politicians to get away with their plan to impose a 100 percent ban on the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks… that’ll be ended on day one.”
California’s move, initiated by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020, aims to phase out gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric cars to reduce pollution and improve air quality. Newsom cited concerns over asthma and wildfires caused by emissions as key reasons for the ban, which would come into full effect by 2035.
Trump’s pledge to reverse the policy would be a significant shift for the automobile industry, which has faced increasing regulations under California’s environmental guidelines. His stance resonated with his focus on revitalizing American manufacturing, which he has positioned as a core theme of his campaign.
While California remains a strongly Democratic state, Trump’s rally attracted a massive crowd, and key congressional races could be influenced by his visit. The former president also took the opportunity to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris for her role in handling illegal immigration, both during her time as a California politician and in the Biden administration.
Trump also outlined his plan to dismantle criminal immigrant networks, referring to it as “Operation Aurora.” He vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to break up violent gangs like the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to criminal activity in U.S. cities. “We will honor those who have suffered by taking down these horrible gang operations,” Trump told the crowd.
