Trump aims to roll back species protections to boost US drilling efforts
President Trump is moving to reduce protections for endangered species to promote U.S. drilling. A new directive from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum requires agencies to submit plans within 15 days to expand energy production, reversing restrictions from the Biden administration. The order targets bans on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore areas. It also seeks to rescind protections for birds and review safeguards for national monuments, which could affect 138 historic sites. Environmental groups warn that these changes could worsen the decline of species and threaten habitats. Critics argue this could be one of the most significant attacks on public lands in history.