Trump to withdraw from Paris accord
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump is set to announce his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord Thursday, a major step that will fulfill a campaign promise while sparking global outcry.
The White House began informing members of Congress Thursday afternoon that Trump planned to pull out of the US from the landmark agreement, according to a congressional source.
Trump will speak during a 3 p.m. ET event in the White House Rose Garden.
In talking points delivered to Trump's allies, the White House characterized the Paris agreement as a job killer that placed undue burdens on American taxpayers.
"The Paris Accord is a BAD deal for Americans, and the President's action today is keeping his campaign promise to put American workers first," the talking points read. "The accord was negotiated poorly by the Obama administration and signed out of desperation. It frontloads costs on the American people to the detriment of our economy."
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were calling lawmakers, including House and Senate leaders, in the hours leading up to the announcement to get input on his climate decision, a Republican source said.
In triggering the official withdrawal process, Trump will spark a lengthy process that won't conclude until November 2020 -- the same month he's up for reelection.
Trump and Europe don't mix, and that will have lasting consequences
Trump and Europe don't mix, and that will have lasting consequences
The President campaigned against the climate agreement as a candidate, and those close to him suggest he's ready to fulfill those promises to remove the US from the 195-country deal. The move would isolate the United States in a global effort to curb the warming of the planet, and leave an opening for countries like China to fill the leadership void.
Pressure to remain in the Paris accord has been intense, however, including from some of Trump's closest aides.
But a person familiar with Trump's thinking said the President was convinced he needed to withdraw from the pact, and there was little chance of talking his out of it.
The uncertainty over Trump's decision has lent the Paris announcement a reality show-like air, with Thursday's unveiling a finale to a months-long debate that has split members of the President's inner circle and led to deep consternation from global allies.
Trump, a former reality star himself, advertised the announcement in a tweet late Wednesday. Earlier in the day, he told reporters he was "hearing from a lot of people both ways."
On Thursday morning, senior administration officials said they still believed Trump planned to announce a withdrawal from the accord but would not reveal the precise mechanism the US would utilize to execute the decision.
Trump would have several options, including triggering a years-long withdrawal process or taking the more drastic step of removing the US from the United Nations climate treaty. He could also declare the Paris agreement a treaty that requires Senate approval, which isn't likely to come from the Republican-controlled body.
Trump to withdraw from Paris accord - CNNPolitics.com