Trump’s Justice Department urges court to throw out pollution lawsuit against Elon Musk’s company | CNN

In a highly unusual move, the US Justice Department has urged a federal court to throw out a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s company xAI for its use of polluting gas turbines — sparking concerns the government is trying to undermine the ability of individuals or communities to sue polluters. In April, NAACP sued xAi and its subsidiary MZX Tech under the Clean Air Act, claiming the company was operating dozens of gas turbines without air permits or pollution controls in Southaven, Mississippi to power its “Colossus 2” data center in Memphis, Tennessee. The methane gas turbines, located near homes and schools, are known to produce a cocktail of toxic pollutants. These include nitrogen oxides, a key component of ozone pollution — also called smog — which can cause asthma attacks and chest pain and, in the longer-term, has been linked to decreased lung function and premature death. The Justice Department has asked the court to dismiss the suit, citing national security considerations. In a memo published Tuesday, it said the data center trains and develops AI models that are “critical” to the economy and to defense and that the lawsuit threatens American energy and innovati

Jun 17, 2026 → Jul 3, 2026