CREW requests documents on White House influence on antitrust investigation

The DOJ opened an antitrust investigation into four California automakers that have worked with the California state government on maintaining higher fuel efficiency standards than those established by the Trump administration. The Trump administration has rolled back national fuel efficiency standards which are set to curb greenhouse gases. The California state government, in accordance with the Clean Energy Act, worked with automakers to raise state standards. In an apparent act of retaliation, the DOJ used antitrust law to investigate these automakers.

CREW requested documents that indicate White House influence, especially that of Attorney General William Barr, on the DOJ’s antitrust investigation into companies that seek higher fuel efficiency standards than those imposed by the Trump Administration.

The requested records will shed light on the extent of influence the White House had on the DOJ in opening this investigation against companies that adopt fuel efficiency standards contrary to those the Trump Administration has imposed.