Youth Plaintiffs Begin Historic Live Testimony in Federal Constitutional Climate Case, Lighthiser v. Trump

On Tuesday morning, September 16, 22 young Americans began presenting live testimony in Lighthiser v. Trump, a landmark lawsuit challenging federal actions that threaten their fundamental rights to life. The hearing — taking place Sept. 16 and 17 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana — is the first time in U.S. history that a federal court is hearing in-person testimony in a constitutional climate case led by young people. Lead attorney Julia Olson framed the case’s fundamental question: “Does the United States Constitution guard against executive abuses of power that deprive children and youth of their fundamental rights to life and liberty?” Olson explained that the challenged executive orders promote pollution by advancing fossil fuels at the expense of clean, renewable energy and scientific integrity. “These orders not only compel the federal government to block the renewable energy revolution underway worldwide, but they also target climate scientists and health