Story perspectives

Trump Waives Environmental Laws for Big Bend Border Construction

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a waiver of statutes—National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act—to allow construction in Big Bend National Park.
Local officials say the plan threatens endangered species, bighorn sheep and Native rock art.
Groups sued, claiming the waiver violates due-process after Democrats failed to block $46.5 billion border-wall funding.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a waiver of statutes—National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act—to allow construction in Big Bend National Park.
Local officials say the plan threatens endangered species, bighorn sheep and Native rock art.
Groups sued, claiming the waiver violates due-process after Democrats failed to block $46.5 billion border-wall funding.