Washington, D.C. — In a move that has sparked widespread criticism from environmental groups, scientists, and conservationists, the Trump administration announced a major rollback of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a landmark piece of legislation that has safeguarded vulnerable wildlife for nearly five decades.
The new rules, unveiled by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, weaken key provisions of the ESA by allowing federal agencies to consider economic impacts when deciding whether to list a species as endangered. They also limit protections for species that are classified as “threatened” and make it more difficult to account for the long-term effects of climate change in conservation planning.
First passed in 1973 with broad bipartisan support, the ESA has been credited with saving iconic animals such as the bald eagle, the gray whale, and the American alligator from extinction. Critics of the rollback argue that the changes put hundreds of vulnerable species — including monarch butterflies, sea turtles, and polar bears — at greater risk.
“By weakening the Endangered Species Act, the administration is essentially putting a price tag on extinction,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of Defenders of Wildlife. “This is a gift to industry at the expense of the natural world.”
The administration, however, defended its decision, saying the updates provide “regulatory certainty” for landowners and businesses. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt argued that the changes would reduce “unnecessary burdens” while still protecting wildlife.
Opponents say that prioritizing short-term economic interests over ecological preservation ignores the Act’s original intent. “The ESA was never about what protecting species costs,” said Senator Tom Udall (D-NM). “It was about recognizing our responsibility to future generations.”
Legal challenges to the rollback are already underway. Several states, along with coalitions of environmental organizations, have pledged to sue the federal government, arguing that the changes violate both the spirit and the letter of the law.
As the debate intensifies, the future of countless species may hinge on the outcome. Conservationists warn that once protections are removed, it becomes nearly impossible to reverse the damage.
