When Samuel Samson, a snr adviser at the #State Dept, sat down privately with #FarRight German lawmakers in an office just steps from the White House, he was breaking with history.

For 8 decades after WWII, the #US’ #ForeignPolicy establishment had usually steered clear of #Germany’s hard-right parties, seeking to ensure that they never seized power again. That changed under #Trump, leading last Sept to Samson’s meeting with Beatrix von Storch & Joachim Paul of Alternative for Germany, or #AfD.

#SCOTUS agreed Friday that #energy companies facing lawsuits over #environmental damage to Louisiana’s #coast from #oil & #gas production can move the challenges from #state courts into friendlier #federal venues.

The ruling is a significant victory for oil companies, led by #Chevron & #ExxonMobil, in their legal battle with #Louisiana state officials over who should pay for the state’s #coastal #erosion. The companies have been supported by the #Trump admin.

#law #ClimateChange #FossilFuels

The justices unanimously agreed to allow the #oil companies to fight the lawsuits in #federal court rather than #state court.

“Congress has long authorized federal officers & their agents to remove suits brought against them in state court to federal court,” Justice #ClarenceThomas wrote.

#law #climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #environment #PublicHealth #habitats #wildlife #FossilFuels #money

The case, #Chevron USA Inc v #Plaquemines Parish, LA, focused on a narrow question: whether the #oil companies could remove cases over #environmental damage from #state to #federal court. But the case has been closely watched by litigants in other #climate lawsuits because state courts are generally thought to be more receptive to people who sue over damages caused by #ClimateChange, including activists & state officials.

#law #ClimateCrisis #PublicHealth #wildlife #FossilFuels #money

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#SCOTUS Sides With #Oil Companies in #Louisiana #Coastal Lawsuits

The companies had asked the justices to clear the way to move #environmental lawsuits out of #state courts, to friendlier #federal venues.

#law #climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #environment #PublicHealth #MarineWildlife #FossilFuels #money
nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/poli…