Liberals shame Trump for 'betraying the country' by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement

Liberals swiftly decried President Trump's announcement Thursday that he intends to fully withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released a statement calling Trump's decision to bail on the global pact to battle climate change an "abdication of American leadership and an international disgrace." Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) accused Trump of "betraying the country, in the service of Breitbart fake news, the shameless fossil fuel industry, and the Koch brothers' climate denial operation," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the decision as "a devastating failure of historic proportions." "If you truly believe in improving the Paris Agreement, you don't back out — you work with our allies and partners around the world," Schumer said in a statement.
The non-profit environmental organization Sierra Club was similarly brutal, deeming Trump's decision to withdraw "one of the most ignorant and dangerous actions ever taken by any president."
Trump, in a Rose Garden speech Thursday afternoon, said he made the decision to free the U.S. from the "draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Pope Francis dies at 88
Speed Read 'How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants,' Pope Francis wrote in his final living message
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2025
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - egg prices, ICE, and more
By The Week US
-
Russia removes the Taliban's terrorist designation as their connections grow
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrant
Speed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Two judges bar war-powers deportations
Speed Read The Trump administration was blocked from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport more alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US