Eva Lighthiser, a 20-year-old climate activist, is leading a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, accusing the federal government of violating young Americans' constitutional rights by issuing executive orders that promote fossil fuels and exacerbate the climate crisis. The case, Lighthiser v Trump, was filed by 23 plaintiffs, including Lighthiser, and seeks to block several pro-fossil fuel executive orders.
From Montana to the Courtroom
Lighthiser, who grew up in Livingston, Montana, developed a deep connection to nature through camping and hiking with her family. Her activism began in 2020 when she learned about youth-led climate litigation through Our Children's Trust, a nonprofit law firm. She became a plaintiff in Held v Montana, a state-level case that argued Montana's pro-fossil fuel policies violated the state constitution's guarantee of a clean and healthful environment. In 2023, that case went to trial, and the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, marking a landmark victory.
Now, Lighthiser is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against Trump. The case was dismissed by a district court judge in fall 2024, but the plaintiffs are appealing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2025, Lighthiser and her co-plaintiffs traveled to Portland, Oregon, to push for reinstatement. "We are challenging this administration for sacrificing the lives of myself and my fellow plaintiffs by expanding fossil fuels for the sake of power," she said outside the courthouse.
Personal Stakes and Community Support
Lighthiser's family has firsthand experience with climate impacts. In 2018, flooding on the Shields River washed out the bridge to their home, forcing a daily 30-minute detour and eventually a move. In 2022, the Yellowstone River overflowed, causing widespread damage in Livingston. These events deepened her resolve. "My future feels uncertain," she testified in the Held case.
Her mother, Erica, expressed pride but also fear about the scrutiny the lawsuit brings. "It's our last name next to the president's last name," she said. "But I know there's a sense of duty to future generations."
Legal Challenges and Expert Opinions
Environmental law expert Pat Parenteau of Vermont Law School praised the plaintiffs' courage but warned that the case's broad arguments—calling for multiple executive orders to be blocked—may be seen as overreach. "Courts are not able to reform the energy system of the United States," he said. The district court judge who dismissed the case called the requests "unworkable." Parenteau expects the Ninth Circuit to uphold the dismissal, and if the case reaches the Supreme Court, it could risk a precedent that harms other environmental lawsuits.
Julia Olson, founder of Our Children's Trust, disagrees. She argues that bold constitutional arguments are necessary for legal progress. "Children are being harmed right now," she said. "If we don't use our constitution, we will lose it."
Looking Ahead
Lighthiser remains optimistic, even if the odds are stacked against her. "There are risks. But if you never take risks, nothing good happens," she said. Her co-plaintiff, 17-year-old Jorja McCormick, looks up to Lighthiser as a mentor. The case represents a new front in youth climate activism, with young people demanding accountability from the highest levels of government.
