Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has threatened to launch a new investigation into former President Donald Trump’s reported promises to Big Oil. According to The Washington Post, Trump allegedly offered to reverse dozens of President Joe Biden’s environmental regulations in exchange for $1 billion in campaign contributions from top oil executives. Whitehouse, who has already been investigating Big Oil as chair of the Senate Budget Committee, indicated that his committee is likely to look into the reported revelations from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago dinner with oil executives.
The Senate Budget Committee and House Oversight and Accountability Committee have been looking into the oil industry for years and recently revealed their findings regarding the industry’s public support for climate regulations while expressing skepticism behind closed doors. Despite allegations from Democrats that Big Oil has misled the public about its role in the climate crisis, spokespeople for major companies like Exxon, BP, and Shell have maintained that they are working towards a greener future. Whitehouse believes that Trump’s reported proposed deal with Big Oil appears to involve quid pro quo, especially when considering reports of executive orders being prepared for Trump to sign if he wins the upcoming presidential election.
Trump has made promises related to oil drilling and environmental regulations, including vows to expand oil drilling in the United States on his first day in office if reelected. While he has dismissed concerns about abusing power for retribution, Trump has also said that he would only behave in such a manner on the first day of his hypothetical second term. He has made comments regarding ending Biden’s halt on permits for new liquefied natural gas exports, emphasizing his intention to fulfill these promises on day one. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been working to strengthen environmental regulations and increase costs for Big Oil to drill on public lands.
With only six months left until the election, which is expected to be a rematch between Trump and Biden, the Biden administration has been actively rolling out new environmental rules to counteract the deregulation efforts undertaken by the previous Trump administration. As the investigations into Big Oil and Trump’s reported dealings continue, Whitehouse has expressed concerns about potential corruption and is considering expanding the scope of his committee’s investigation in light of the new information that has come to light. Trump’s reported promises to oil executives further underscore the complex relationship between industry interests and political decision-making in the realm of environmental policy.
