Trump Administration

Our experts and analysts weigh in on the latest developments in the Trump administration.


The endangered Houston toad. US Fish and Wildlife Service

New Analysis Shows Government Lacks Plans to Save Endangered Species from Climate Change

, Research scientist

November 18, 2019 11:03 AM EDT

Today, a new analysis published in Nature Climate Change shows that the US government doesn’t have many plans to conserve hundreds of endangered species that are at-risk of being affected by climate change. The analysis finds that 99.8% of the 459 US animals listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are at risk of having their populations further decrease under a changing climate. However, the two agencies in charge of managing conservation of these species, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), have plans to manage the effects of climate change for only 18% of them. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

Photo: nat693/Adobe Stock

Dubious Advice: Bears Ears, National Park Campgrounds, and the Rise of Captured Committees

, Climate scientist

November 14, 2019 5:09 PM EDT

The advisory committee for Bears Ears National Monument has been criticized for being skewed toward energy interests. The “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee recommends privatizing America’s national parks campgrounds. They both represent a new type of advisory committee designed to give the appearance of impartiality and independent review when they are actually disproportionately stocked with enablers of the administration’s political agenda. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

EPA office building with agency flag

Five Things to Yell About in the EPA’s New Opaque “Transparency” Supplemental Rule

, director, Center for Science & Democracy

November 12, 2019 5:19 PM EDT

The Trump administration is making a bad proposal worse as a leaked draft comes to light of the Environmental Protection Agency’s soon-to-be-released supplemental proposal to their so-called Transparency Proposed Rule. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

House boats lie near Interstate 5 and industrial facilities in the Columbia Slough of Portland, Oregon. This picture was taken in the 1970's, but the community has been plagued with pollution since the early 20th century. David Falconer/EPA

Congress Lifts Voices of Communities Affected by Trump Administration’s Attacks on Science

, Research scientist

October 30, 2019 8:48 AM EDT

On October 30th, the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force and House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-3) will host a briefing that will lift the voices of underserved communities who have long been affected by the government’s sidelining of science. We will hear stories of how underserved communities have dealt with air and water pollution, been left out of decision-making processes, or have wondered how they will live day-to-day as the government sidelines science and undermines programs specifically intended to provide support to communities harmed first and worst. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

The Experts Have Spoken: Disbanded Particulate Pollution Panel Finds EPA Standards Don’t Protect Public Health

, Research Director, Center for Science and Democracy

October 22, 2019 9:39 AM EDT

A group of 20 independent experts on particulate matter air pollution, disbanded by EPA Administrator Wheeler last October and reconvened last week, has now made clear that the current particulate pollution standards don’t protect public health and welfare. Read more >

Bookmark and Share