The White House's decision, announced during the government shutdown, seems designed to put pressure on Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leaders in the Senate and House respectively, who both happen to represent New York State. But the specific way in which Donald Trump has decided to block the projects-by imposing an onerous regulatory-review process-is a troubling omen of how he might broadly undermine development across the country.
When the corroded pipeline burst in 2015, inky crude spread along the Southern California coast, becoming the state's worst oil spill in decades. More than 140,000 gallons (3,300 barrels) of oil gushed out, blackening beaches for 150 miles from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, polluting a biologically rich habitat for endangered whales and sea turtles, killing scores of pelicans, seals and dolphins, and decimating the fishing industry.
Business law today sits at the intersection of shifting political and regulatory forces, as governments worldwide respond to evolving issues like antitrust scrutiny, ESG compliance, and global trade tensions. These changes are reshaping how companies operate - and in turn, how lawyers advise them. For law students, understanding this dynamic landscape isn't optional; it's essential preparation for a profession where business, policy, and law are increasingly intertwined.