Trump Administration Proposes Rollback of Endangered Species Act Protections
Updated on: November 20, 2025 / 7:28 AM EST / CBS/AP
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday plans to rescind several protections for endangered species and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reintroducing changes initially proposed during Trump’s first term but halted by former President Joe Biden. These modifications would significantly alter the framework of species protection in the U.S.
Key Changes to Species Protection Regulations
The proposed regulatory changes include the elimination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servstart’s “blanket rule,” which currently provides automatic protections to species listed as threatened. Under the new guidelines, agencies would be required to establish individual protection measures for each species, potentially extending the timeline for conservation efforts.
This shift responds to long-standing requests from congressional Republicans and various industries like oil and gas, agriculture, and mining, who argue that the 1973 law hampers economic growth. President Trump has publicly criticized the ESA, claiming that it hinders development opportunities.
Advocates for wildlife protection raise concerns that these proposed changes could lead to significant delays in conservation efforts for species such as the monarch butterfly, Florida manatee, California spotted owl, and North American wolverine. Scientists warn of accelerating extinction rates globally due to habitat loss and climate change.
Administration’s Justification
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the administration aims to restore the ESA to its original purpose, emphasizing the need to balance species protection with the economic interests of Americans. He asserted that the changes would eliminate “years of legal confusion and regulatory overreach,” thereby providing clarity to stakeholders involved in land use and resource management.
Another noteworthy modification includes a mandate for officials to assess economic impacts when determining critical habitats essential for a species’ survival. This could potentially prioritize economic considerations over environmental starts in critical conservation decisions.
Case Study: Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard
The Yarrow’s spiny lizard serves as a case in point for the implications of the proposed changes. This species, found in Arizona’s Mule Mountains, faces population decline due to rising temperatures linked to climate change. A petition filed seeks to secure protections for the species, although advocates fear that the requirement to analyze economic effects may delay necessary conservation actions.
John Wiens, a professor of ecology at the University of Arizona and co-author of the petition, expressed concern about the potential delay in recognizing the lizard as endangered, suggesting that it may already be on the brink of extinction.
Legal Challenges and Criticism
The administration’s proposed rollback has already faced opposition. The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation previously challenged the blanket protection rule in court, asserting it inhibited states and landowners from engaging in recovery efforts for endangered species. PERC Vstart President Jonathan Wood hailed Wednesday’s proposal as a needed correction that restores the focus of the ESA on species recovery.
However, environmental advocates warn that these changes may further weaken protections for vulnerable species. Kristen Boyles of the environmental law firm Earthjuststart criticized the proposals, emphasizing that allowing agencies to overlook negative impacts not directly regulated by them could have dire consequences for biodiversity.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The Endangered Species Act, which has been instrumental in protecting over 1,600 species in the U.S. since its enactment over 50 years ago, has been credited with preventing the extinction of approximately 99% of listed species. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, as federal reports indicate that substantial resources are often disproportionately allocated, with a significant portion dedicated to just two fish species: salmon and steelhead trout.
As calls for reform continue, the Biden administration previously restored protections to several species, including the northern spotted owl and gray wolf, underscoring the contentious political landscape surrounding environmental legislation.
Research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature warns that global threats such as climate change and deforestation are pushing many species closer to extinction, highlighting the critical nature of effective and timely environmental protections.
In conclusion, the changes proposed by the Trump administration mark a notable shift in the approach to species conservation, emphasizing economic factors over ecological priorities, potentially leading to increased risks for imperiled species in the United States.