The territory's move, filed in court on Friday without explanation, came only 48 hours after the Trump administration sued Michigan and Hawaii in an attempt to block similar litigation. The administration argues that only the federal government has authority over greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, claiming such state-level lawsuits are unconstitutional.
Puerto Rico's lawsuit, filed in July 2024, was one of the most high-profile cases among a growing wave of climate accountability litigation across the US. It accused oil majors of decades-long efforts to mislead the public on the dangers of fossil fuel use, and sought damages for climate-driven destruction — including the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria.
But the climate legal landscape has shifted sharply under Trump's second term. Vowing to protect fossil fuel interests, the president has denounced climate lawsuits as "frivolous" and launched a sweeping campaign to shut them down.
Friday's court filing did not specify whether the Justice Department's recent actions influenced Puerto Rico's decision. However, political changes in the territory may have played a role. In November, Republican Jenniffer González-Colón — a Trump ally — was elected governor. She appointed Janet Parra-Mercado as attorney general in February, and both have faced pressure from conservative groups to end litigation targeting oil companies.
The American Energy Institute (AEI), a fossil fuel advocacy group with ties to far-right judicial strategist Leonard Leo, reportedly urged González-Colón to halt "coordinated lawfare" against energy firms, calling the climate lawsuits "disastrous for Puerto Rico and the rest of the nation."
Meanwhile, the law firm representing Puerto Rico, Sher Edling, said it acted "under the direction and control" of its clients but declined to elaborate further.
The move follows a similar voluntary dismissal in December by a California-based fishing trade group, which had accused oil companies of deception over climate impacts. While multiple municipalities in Puerto Rico — including the capital, San Juan — continue to pursue separate lawsuits, observers fear the Trump administration's legal offensive may create a chilling effect.
Legal experts warn that the Department of Justice's intervention could set a precedent for federal interference in state-level climate litigation. "This is a deeply concerning attack on legal accountability," said Michael Burger of Columbia University's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. "If successful, it could shut the courthouse doors to communities suffering the worst climate impacts."
Despite growing public support for climate accountability, many of these cases now face an uphill battle. Trump's allies argue they threaten energy security and economic growth, but critics say the administration is once again siding with polluters over the public.
"This is a test of democracy, not just climate," said one environmental advocate. "Will states and communities be allowed to seek justice, or will fossil fuel companies be shielded from accountability?"