The White House appears to have deleted language indicating President Donald Trump eliminated two national monuments in a recent executive order, following criticism from local officials over whether Trump had authorization to rescind protections established under President Joe Biden.
The White House appeared to delete phrasing arguing to eliminate two national monuments established ... [+]
The White House on Friday posted a fact sheet for Trump’s executive order that rescinded 19 executive actions signed by Biden, including proclamations declaring nearly a million acres of land as two national monuments—Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument—in California.
The fact sheet argued the proclamations “[locked] up vast amounts of land from economic development and energy production,” though the language no longer appears as of Monday.
Biden established the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands national monuments on Jan. 7, a move that reportedly honored requests from Native American tribes and environmental groups to protect a combined 848,000 acres in northern and southern California from drilling, mining and other industrial activity.
Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., said Monday the Trump administration has not made a decision for the Chuckwalla monument, adding, “If the designation is rescinded, we’ll fight like hell to defend it.”
Neither the Interior Department nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Mount Shasta, California, councilmember Casey Glaubman told The Desert Sun that Trump’s order eliminating the Sáttítla Highlands monument “jeopardizes” the area’s recreational opportunities and raises questions over protections for local “fresh, clean water.” Glaubman noted local government officials, tribal nations and local businesses vied for the protections over a “years-long process” as “everyone in our community agrees this landscape deserves permanent protection.” Iris Gutierrez, executive director of the High Desert Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, argued removing the Chuckwalla monument would be a “setback for local businesses” and “threaten the local quality of life we all enjoy.”
It’s not immediately clear whether Trump can rescind or abolish proclamations for national monuments. The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows the president to protect lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans, including by establishing or expanding national monuments on federal lands, though the legislation does not say whether a president can remove the designation without approval from Congress.
During his presidency, Biden used executive orders under the Antiquities Act to create 10 new national monuments and expand four others. Trump, however, has pushed against protections for national monuments over his two presidencies. In 2017, Trump cut two national monuments in Utah—the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante—by more than 1.9 million acres, though the areas were later restored under Biden in 2021. Biden’s restoration, which was challenged by Republican lawmakers, was backed by years of opposition to Trump’s order by Native American leaders, who reportedly called the move a “slap in the face for a lot of us.” Trump’s second administration has also targeted national monuments: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum launched a review of every national monument and whether their protections should be removed and their boundaries redrawn. The review ended on Feb. 18, though details have not been publicly released. The National Parks Conservation Association opposed Burgum’s review, suggesting it was a “dangerous step” toward removing protections for national monuments in favor of drilling for fossil fuels.
Trump Targets Two National Monuments In California For Elimination (Washington Post)