Newsom’s state of California is becoming a real thorn in Trump’s side.
California officials are once again taking the Trump administration to court, this time over federal approvals tied to oil pipelines operating near the state’s coastline—part of a broader dispute over energy policy, gas prices, and federal authority.
State leaders argue that recent federal actions allowing pipeline operations to resume improperly override California’s regulatory role. The lawsuit comes as President Trump continues pushing to expand domestic energy production, including offshore drilling, as a way to increase supply and lower fuel costs nationwide.
In a written statement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta accused the administration of asserting exclusive federal control over two onshore pipelines connected to offshore drilling operations. Bonta said the state believes it retains authority over how those pipelines are regulated and maintained.
California officials also cited environmental and public safety concerns, pointing to past oil spills and arguing that state oversight is necessary to prevent future incidents. The pipelines involved are owned by Sable Offshore, a company that drills off the California coast. The lines were shut down in 2015 after a spill occurred under a previous operator.
The Trump administration, however, has framed the issue as one of economic necessity and energy independence. Federal officials have moved to reopen pipeline infrastructure and consider new offshore leases—steps that could mark the first expansion of offshore drilling near California in more than three decades.
Administration officials told the Associated Press that the approvals would help deliver “much-needed American energy” to a state that consistently reports some of the highest gasoline prices in the country. Supporters of the move argue that increased domestic production could ease costs for families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses struggling with inflation.
Critics of California’s lawsuit say the legal challenge reflects a long-running effort by Democratic leaders to block federal energy initiatives, even as residents face rising fuel prices and higher living costs. The case now adds another chapter to the ongoing clash between President Trump’s energy agenda and California’s aggressive regulatory approach.