President Trump was touting his environmental achievements earlier this week. The reality is that since taking office, his administration has moved aggressively to roll back protections for public lands, water, and wildlife, enacting a policy agenda written by drilling and mining industries.
A new analysis by the Center for Western Priorities finds the Interior Department has completed or taken action on at least 53 policy changes requested or supported by energy companies and associations as of June 2019. From rescinding major oil and gas safeguards to revising agency handbooks on wildlife protection, the staggering scope of these actions is the result of a concerted effort to rip out key conservation policies by the roots.
