Can America’s Cherished Environmental Protections Survive Trump’s ‘God Squad’? A Recipe for Survival or Extinction?

Donald Trump is actively working to roll back important protections for endangered species in the United States. His focus is on expanding oil and gas drilling, utilizing a committee known as the “God squad,” which has the authority to override the Endangered Species Act.

Since Trump’s return to office, his administration has made moves to open up more land and water to fossil fuel companies. This includes reversing regulations meant to safeguard the Endangered Species Act, a pivotal conservation law established in 1973. Changes to these regulations could weaken protections for numerous species, including migratory birds.

The Department of the Interior is now prioritizing drilling leases that were previously denied, particularly in the Arctic regions of Alaska. Plans also include reviewing protected public lands, potentially reducing the size of wildlife refuges and national monuments. In his previous time in office, Trump already significantly diminished two national monuments in Utah.

Doug Burgum, the Secretary of the Interior, expressed enthusiasm about these changes, claiming they will unlock America’s energy potential and boost economic growth. However, critics worry that endangered species will bear the brunt of this new agenda, threatening their survival and habitats. The Endangered Species Act has been critical in protecting over 1,700 species, keeping 99% of those listed from extinction, including the iconic bald eagle.

Despite its successes, the act has faced criticism. Some argue that it hampers economic development and that many species struggle due to inadequate resources. Trump has previously dismissed the delta smelt, a small fish in California, as “essentially worthless,” signaling a need to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.

During his first term, Trump’s administration focused on economic considerations when listing species for protection, resulting in only 25 species being added to the list—the lowest in history. Prominent species like wolverines and hellbender salamanders were denied protection despite petitions. Noah Greenwald, an endangered species director, called the reforms “dynamite to basic rules that protect our natural world.”

A key part of Trump’s new push is the God squad, a committee that can effectively decide the fate of endangered species. Under extreme conditions like a national emergency, this group, led by Burgum along with other senior officials, can override the protections of the Endangered Species Act. This committee has rarely been convened in the past and has never officially allowed a species to go extinct without some kind of alternative protection established.

Environmental experts worry that these changes are paving the way for broader attacks on species protections at the state level. For instance, Montana and Wyoming have sought to remove protections from grizzly bears, while some lawmakers want to strip grey wolves from the endangered list, claiming they threaten local livestock.

Critics warn that with Trump’s administration focused on dismantling protections, the future of many species hangs in the balance. Programs designed to help species recover are often underfunded, leaving both wild populations and private landowners without the support they need to protect endangered animals. Patrick Parenteau, an environmental law expert, stresses that without proper enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, many species could face a grim fate.

In summary, Trump’s administration is steering the U.S. towards weakened protections for endangered species in favor of fossil fuel exploration. The implications for biodiversity could be profound, with many species possibly approaching extinction if these policies continue unhindered.

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