Shelby Review

John James, House Representative of Michigan, said that his legislation, signed into law by President Trump, prevents California's electric vehicle (EV) mandate from threatening Michigan jobs. He vowed to protect the state's auto industry. The statement was made on X.

"This is the United States of America — not the United States of California," said John Edward James, U.S. Representative from Michigan. "President Donald J. Trump signed my bill into law stopping California's radical EV mandate from killing thousands of Michigan jobs. MI is not afraid of the future, but we demand to be a part of it. California radicals must follow the law. We will not let them destroy our auto industry."

California's push for stricter clean truck and EV mandates has led to a federal clash after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued to stop the state from enforcing its "Clean Truck Partnership" rules. According to Reuters, the DOJ argues that these standards exceed federal authority, especially after Congress revoked Clean Air Act waivers. Truck manufacturers like Daimler and Volvo have also filed lawsuits citing conflicting mandates. This case highlights California's significant influence in shaping national vehicle policy.

Michigan's auto industry employs more than 600,000 people, with about 46,700 in vehicle assembly and 115,600 in parts manufacturing. This sector makes up roughly 12% of the state's workforce and contributes an estimated $304 billion annually to Michigan's economy. According to Bridge Michigan and industry data, debates over EV mandates weigh heavily on this workforce and its future.

EV adoption in Michigan remains limited, with just 0.63% ownership and 3.2% of new light vehicle sales as of mid-2023. In contrast, California accounts for nearly 25% of all new EV sales nationwide. Forecasts indicate that California could reach a 94% EV share by 2035, while Michigan may only reach 41%. J.D. Power data cited by Bridge Detroit underscores sharp regional divides in EV transition progress.

James is a Republican U.S. Representative from Michigan’s 10th District since 2023. He is a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who flew Apache helicopters in Iraq. After his military service, he became president of his family’s logistics firm and twice ran for U.S. Senate before winning his House seat. As reported by AP News and Wikipedia, James has positioned himself as a pro-industry conservative and is running for governor in 2026.