Save the Date: 22 Youth Head to Portland for Ninth Circuit Oral Arguments in ‘Lighthiser v. Trump’
PORTLAND – Youth suing the Trump administration are heading back to federal court. On April 13, 2026, youth from across the country will stand before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Lighthiser v. Trump, challenging President Trump’s pro-fossil fuel Executive Orders that “unleash” fossil fuels, block renewable energy development, suppress critical climate science, and exacerbate the climate crisis. They’re asking the court to allow their case to proceed on the merits.
WHEN: Monday, April 13, 2026. Court hearing begins: 9:00 AM PST (approximately 40 minutes)
WHERE: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Pioneer Courthouse, 2nd Floor Courtroom, 700 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, OR 97204-1369
You can also watch live online here.
WHAT: A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hear oral arguments in Lighthiser v. Trump, an appeal of the district court’s dismissal of the youth’s constitutional climate case.
The youth plaintiffs argue that three of Trump’s Executive Orders are unconstitutional and directly harm the lives, health, and safety of the 22 young Americans. Plaintiffs argue the challenged Executive Orders violate their:
- Right to Life and Liberty (Fifth Amendment): These Executive Orders increase climate and localized fossil fuel pollution and endanger young people’s right to Life and Liberty.
- Executive Overreach (Ultra Vires Action): The President has no constitutional or statutory authority to override laws like the Clean Air Act or invoke emergency powers to expand fossil fuel development in ways that endanger children’s lives.
- Government-Inflicted Harm (State-Created Danger Doctrine): Plaintiffs are challenging the government’s direct role in creating and escalating harm by intentionally increasing fossil fuel pollution, suppressing climate science, and blocking solutions to the climate crisis. Under the state-created danger doctrine, the government has a duty to protect individuals from harm when it creates or exacerbates a known danger.
Plaintiffs will argue that courts have the power to declare Executive Orders unconstitutional and stop their implementation, as they have in others cases, and the district court erred in finding otherwise here.
MEDIA LOGISTICS:
- Please contact Helen Britto (helen@ourchildrenstrust.org) or Nicole Funaro (nfunaro@publicjustice.net) to schedule interviews in advance.
- Courtroom seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Media is encouraged to arrive early.
- Valid ID is required for all visitors, including students and chaperones.
- Security screening is mandatory.
- Photography and audio/video recording are prohibited inside the courthouse unless approved in advance by the court.
There will also be a community gathering in support of the plaintiffs prior to oral argument followed by a peaceful rally immediately after arguments conclude. More details can be found here.
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Our Children’s Trust was founded in 2010 on the idea that courts are vital to democracy and empowered to protect our children and the planet. Without a stable climate system, every natural resource we rely upon to exercise our basic human rights—life, liberty, home, happiness—is under threat. Our work will be achieved when there is universal recognition of children’s climate rights by courts around the world and children’s fundamental rights to life on this planet are protected. www.ourchildrenstrust.org
Public Justice takes on the most significant systemic threats to justice of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. We link high-impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to combat these abusive and discriminatory systems and achieve social and economic justice. For more information, visit www.publicjustice.net