Story perspectives

Trump’s 'God Squad' Meeting Sparks Environmental Concerns

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration will convene the Endangered Species Committee, known as the "God Squad," on March 31, 2026, to discuss exemptions for oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmentalists warn that this could threaten the critically endangered Rice's whale, which has a population of about 51 individuals.
Critics, including Brett Hartl from the Center for Biological Diversity, claim the meeting lacks transparency and violates the Endangered Species Act's public hearing requirements.
The Interior Department's approval of a $5 billion deepwater drilling project raises concerns about potential environmental impacts reminiscent of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

History

Historical Context

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), enacted on December 28, 1973, aimed to protect imperiled species like the Rice's whale, which now numbers only 51 individuals. The Center for Biological Diversity, founded in 1989, advocates against threats from industrial activities, including oil drilling. The upcoming "God Squad" meeting recalls past controversies, notably the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, which underscored the risks of offshore drilling to conservation efforts.

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Story summary

The Trump administration will convene the Endangered Species Committee, known as the "God Squad," on March 31, 2026, to discuss exemptions for oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmentalists warn that this could threaten the critically endangered Rice's whale, which has a population of about 51 individuals.
Critics, including Brett Hartl from the Center for Biological Diversity, claim the meeting lacks transparency and violates the Endangered Species Act's public hearing requirements.
The Interior Department's approval of a $5 billion deepwater drilling project raises concerns about potential environmental impacts reminiscent of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

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