President Trump said Wednesday he would decide as early as this week whether to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change over the next few days, following reports that Trump has already decided to leave the controversial agreement.
“I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” the president tweeted Wednesday morning.
I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
Trump’s statement on Twitter came just hours after two officials with knowledge of the decision told Axios that a team of officials, including EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, are deciding how best to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Options including leaving the agreement fully, a process that could take three years, or leaving the underlying United Nations climate change treaty, which would be more immediate.
Trump promised to leave the Paris Agreement during the campaign. Former President Barack Obama entered the U.S. into the accord last year.
Congressional Republicans opposed the climate deal, and 22 Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, sent Trump a letter urging him to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
Trump said during his first foreign trip he would make a decision on the climate deal this week.
