Lawfare is not solely directed at presidents, former presidents, and presidential candidates; even corporations and small businesses can become targets. This includes entities that have fallen out of favor with the left, such as oil companies.
States also engage in this type of lawfare; for example, New Jersey was involved in a lawsuit against oil giants like Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, and Conoco-Phillips. The lawsuit claimed that these companies, despite providing legal and indispensable products, were responsible for climate change. However, the case faced a setback when Judge Douglas H. Hurd dismissed it with prejudice, as reported by Thomas Catenacci of the Washington Free Beacon.
BREAKING: New Jersey’s massive lawsuit accusing the oil industry of causing climate change was just dismissed with prejudice.
The case was pursued by the NJ AG, but funded by liberal NGOs. Similar cases in MD and Delaware have also been tossed.
A huge blow for eco activists. pic.twitter.com/Mv044iMLWp
— Thomas Catenacci (@ThomasCatenacci) February 5, 2025
Not all recent victories can be attributed to the Trump administration’s actions. There seems to be a shift in the political atmosphere, with a return to rationality and sound judgment in legislatures and courtrooms. Judge Hurd carefully considered the climate change arguments presented before him, as expected of a judge, but ultimately, he was not convinced.
NJ Superior Court Judge Douglas Hurd didn’t mince words in the ruling:
“Plaintiffs seek to regulate the nationwide—and even worldwide—marketing and distribution of lawful products on which billions of people outside of New Jersey rely to heat their homes, power their hospitals…
— Thomas Catenacci (@ThomasCatenacci) February 5, 2025
Judge Hurd’s comments read in full:
“Dismissed with prejudice” means, in legal parlance, that a civil case is closed permanently, and plaintiffs cannot re-file the case at a later date. Judge Hurd not only dismissed the case, he slammed a big door closed behind it.
