DEVELOPING: Trump Administration Moves to Gut Endangered Species Protections

Breaking News: Trump Administration Moves to Gut Endangered Species Protections The Trump administration has announced plans to roll back protections for imperiled species and their habitats, sparking widespread criticism from environmental groups and scientists. According to sources, the proposed changes would eliminate the automatic protection of animals and plants classified as threatened, instead requiring species-specific rules for protections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's "blanket rule" would be abolished, allowing government agencies to craft individual rules for each species, a potentially lengthy process. This move would effectively weaken the Endangered Species Act, a landmark 1973 law aimed at conserving threatened and endangered species. Critics argue that destroying endangered species' habitat would no longer be considered "harm" under the proposed rule, further eroding protections for vulnerable species. The changes have been long sought by Republicans in Congress and industries such as oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. The administration's announcement comes as a major blow to conservation efforts, with many species already on the brink of extinction. The proposed rule is set to undergo a public comment period before being finalized. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.