Trump Pardons Mechanics for Tampering with Vehicle Emissions Controls
Right before the July 4th weekend, Donald Trump pardoned nine mechanics who were convicted for tampering with vehicle pollution controls on heavy-duty vehicles. Each of the mechanics is responsible for violations on anywhere between a dozen and hundreds of thousands of vehicles.
The Pardons and Their Scope
The pardons cover individuals who illegally bypassed emissions control systems, known as ‘defeat devices,’ which allow trucks to spew far more pollution than legally allowed. In a statement, Trump inaccurately claimed that defeat devices help American drivers save costs. This is not true; instead, the American public will be responsible for the health and environmental costs of severe pollution.
A North Carolina Mechanic’s Massive Violation
Specifically, one North Carolina mechanic sold or installed more than 250,000 illegal emissions-cheating devices between 2014 and 2019. The EPA estimated those devices polluted as much as putting 11 million more vehicles on U.S. roads. He and his company were ordered to pay $10 million in civil and criminal penalties.
Environmental and Health Costs
The scale of the tampering has enormous implications for public health and the environment. The extra pollution from these devices contributes to smog, respiratory illnesses, and climate change. The timing of the pardons came as much of the Midwest and Atlantic coast sweltered through a blistering ‘heat dome’ intensified by climate change.
Reactions and Broader Context
In response to the pardons, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released a statement: ‘As the Midwest and Atlantic coast sweltered through a blistering “heat dome” intensified by climate change this weekend, President Trump was once again doing polluters’ bidding. From pardoning criminals that illegally tampered with vehicle pollution controls to dismantling clean vehicle standards, this administration has made one thing clear: if you’re a polluter, you’re protected. Every action Trump has taken on transportation puts more toxic pollution in our air, forcing Americans to pay with their lungs, their hearts, and their lives.’
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action.