"A Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to investigate a California effort to reduce vehicle emissions was highly criticized on Wednesday by House Democrats, who called it an effort to strong-arm the state and automakers.

An antitrust investigation into the July deals struck between California and four different automakers was kicked off just a day after a tweet from President Trump, a DOJ whistleblower testified during a fiery House Judiciary Committee hearing.

John W. Elias, a DOJ career employee who served as acting chief of staff for DOJ’s Antitrust Division for the first half of the Trump administration, said the investigation served as “evidence that our nation's antitrust laws were being misused.”"

Rebecca Beitsch reports for The Hill June 24, 2020. [2]