‘God Squad’ Waives Environmental Rules for Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- A Trump administration panel, known as the Endangered Species Committee or "God Squad," unanimously voted to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling from endangered species protections.
- The committee, which rarely convenes, held a closed-door meeting at the Interior Department to adopt this decision, marking a significant weakening of the Endangered Species Act.
- Officials justified the exemption by claiming that protections were hindering domestic energy production and that lifting them would enhance national security and increase energy supplies.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the national security importance of robust domestic oil production, citing threats from Iran and the need for energy independence.
- This move follows broader Trump administration efforts to relax environmental regulations affecting critical habitats for endangered species nationwide.
