Trump orders review of national monument designations, calls protections 'a massive federal land grab'
President Trump signed an executive order directing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review national monument designations made since 1996 covering more than 100,000 acres. The order, signed at the Interior Department, targets dozens of monuments, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah, and could lead to reductions or elimination of protections. Trump accused previous administrations of an 'egregious abuse of federal power' and 'a massive federal land grab,' framing the review as returning power to states. The move drew sharp criticism from environmental groups, Native American tribes, and Democrats, who warned of irreversible harm to sacred lands and public opposition.
“a massive federal land grab” Quote verified against source
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis executive order marked the first attempt by a president to review and potentially revoke or shrink national monument designations at such a scale, shattering a norm that had stood since the Antiquities Act of 1906.