Wanted to leave the Paris agreement
Wanted to stay
The Paris climate agreement was simply a raw deal for America. … I commend President Trump for fulfilling his commitment to the American people and withdrawing from this bad deal.
Paul Ryan, House Speaker June 1, 2017
Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got.
Barack Obama, Former President June 1, 2017
I applaud President Trump and his administration for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama Administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs.
Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader June 1, 2017
.@realdonaldtrump’s withdrawal from #ParisAccord is an abdication of American leadership. Rejection of both science & economic opportunity.
Ernest Moniz, Former Energy Secretary June 1, 2017
Ignoring reality and leaving the Paris Agreement could go down as one of the worst foreign policy blunders in our nation’s history, isolating the U.S. further after Trump’s shockingly bad European trip. Trump is betraying the country, in the service of Breitbart fake news, the shameless fossil fuel industry, and the Koch brothers’ climate denial operation. It’s sad.
Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Senator June 1, 2017
President Trump’s decision will prove to be the right course of action and one I fully support. Instead of preaching about clean energy, this Administration will act on it. Our work and deeds are more important than empty words.
Rick Perry, Energy Secretary June 1, 2017
It’s a disappointing and embarrassing day for the United States. This decision makes zero sense from a public health or an economic perspective. … We will cede technology breakthroughs to countries that will take over our leadership role and the rest of the world will question whether the United States can be trusted.
Gina McCarthy, Former EPA Administrator June 1, 2017
President Trump has freed America from a bad deal that would have cost billions of dollars but have little significant environmental benefit. … President Trump’s decision will allow America to move forward with policies based on sound science and smart cost-benefit analyses to ensure Americans don’t bear the brunt of the all-pain, no-gain policies of the previous administration.
Lamar Smith, Texas Representative June 1, 2017
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a devastating failure of historic proportions. Future generations will look back on President Trump’s decision as one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st century… I seriously hope the President reconsiders this awful decision.”
Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader June 1, 2017
Today, President Trump once again delivered on his campaign promise to put American workers first. … The president is sending a clear message that we will no longer remain beholden to burdensome international deals at the expense of our taxpayers. I commend the president for making this decision that will save the U.S. economy from the loss of millions of jobs and trillions in economic output.
Ronna Romney McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee June 1, 2017
Climate change is real: it poses a unique threat to the future of our planet, and puts in peril the health, prosperity, security and the very survival of our children and grandchildren. … That incredible diplomatic achievement could not have been secured without the decisive role of the United States of America. That is why it is a dramatic mistake for President Trump to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement.
Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris June 1, 2017
Removing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a reckless and indefensible action. It undermines America’s standing in the world and threatens to damage humanity’s ability to solve the climate crisis in time. But make no mistake: if President Trump won’t lead, the American people will.
Al Gore, Former Vice President June 1, 2017
Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX June 1, 2017
The President who promised ‘America First’ has taken a self-destructive step that puts our nation last. This is an unprecedented forfeiture of American leadership which will cost us influence, cost us jobs, and invite other countries to walk away from solving humanity’s most existential crisis. It isolates the United States after we had united the world.
John Kerry, Former Secretary of State June 1, 2017
We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Canada is unwavering in our commitment to fight climate change and support clean economic growth.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada June 1, 2017
President Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America – for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security.
Ed Markey, Massachusetts Senator June 1, 2017
The Trump administration has just committed assault and battery on the future of the American people. There can be no excuse for this willful crime, but the rest of us must resolve to continue the fight for a wiser and more just course of action.
Tom Steyer, Billionaire Democratic Activist June 1, 2017
Copy edited by Sushant Sagar.