California Gov. Gavin Newsom Gavin NewsomOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 EPA head questions connection of climate change to natural disasters MORE (D) told CNN that former Presidents Nixon and Reagan, both Californians, were “rolling in their graves” over the Trump administration’s move to block the Golden State from imposing its own emissions standards.

“Federalism be damned, states’ rights, 10th Amendment be damned, Ronald Reagan [and] Richard Nixon be damned,” Newsom told CNN’s Don Lemon Don Carlton LemonCNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context CNN's Lemon: 'We're going to have to blow up the entire system' if Democrats win back White House, Senate Scaramucci to Lemon: Trump 'doubling down' on downplaying virus 'should scare' viewers MORE Wednesday night, noting that Reagan had paved the way for such steps as California governor.

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“They’d be rolling in their graves right now at what the Republican administration is doing, and moreover what the Republican Party is doing: complete silence on states’ rights but also free enterprise,” Newsom added.

Noting that four automakers voluntarily agreed to the standards, which prompted a Justice Department antitrust investigation, Newsom asked CNN’s Don Lemon, “Who is Donald Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE actually helping? He’s not helping those four companies that have voluntarily agreed to California’s higher standard."

He added the inquiry had “chilled” other companies’ willingness to agree to the standards.

“They’re calling CEOs to the mat and threatening them and using the Department of Justice to go after them to keep them from doing what they think is in their best interest and in their customers’ best interest.”

The administration on Thursday formally revoked the state’s tailpipe waiver under the Clean Air Act, citing the Environmental Protection Agency’s One National Program Rule, which gives the federal government sole authority over emissions standards.