Twenty US States and DC Sue Trump Administration Over Endangered Species Rollbacks

A bipartisan legal battle has erupted in the United States as twenty Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed two lawsuits on Wednesday against President Donald Trump’s administration. The litigation targets recent regulatory changes that critics argue significantly erode safeguards for endangered wildlife.

The complaints were lodged less than two months after the Departments of the Interior and Commerce finalized rules designed to streamline development on sensitive lands inhabited by at-risk species. Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown condemned the administration’s approach during a press conference, stating that the president is attempting to undermine both the law and the clear mandate of Congress and the public, who broadly support conservation efforts.

“Instead of stewardship, this administration’s approach to our land, to our water, is one of exploitation,” Brown said.

The first lawsuit contends that the government has unlawfully narrowed the definition of “harm” under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Historically, this term has been interpreted to include threats to habitats. The new rule, described by the states as a reversal of staggering proportions, would permit activities such as mining and oil drilling in critical habitats provided they are not directly and intentionally targeted at specific animals. Environmental organizations have also initiated separate legal challenges regarding this change.

The second complaint challenges two additional regulations. The first eliminates broad protections for newly threatened species unless the US Fish and Wildlife Service establishes specific regulations for each. The second mandates that the government consider objections from private companies before designating areas as critical habitats. The states argue these modifications strip endangered species of protections intended by Congress.

Passed in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is regarded as a cornerstone of US conservation and is credited with helping recover populations of grizzly bears, humpback whales, and condors. However, the Trump administration has vowed to prioritize economic growth over environmental regulation, echoing the “drill, baby, drill” slogan prominent during the 2024 re-election campaign.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the president’s focus on industry interests, stating, “Caring for our wildlife and our environment is part of caring for our future. Yet President Trump seems to care only for himself and his industry friends.” Critics warn that these regulatory slashes could lead to irreversible ecological damage and drive species toward extinction.

In response, the Trump administration defended its actions, accusing the lawsuits of attempting to preserve “regulatory overreach.” An Interior Department spokesperson told Reuters that federal agencies must faithfully implement the Endangered Species Act as written, rather than expanding its reach through interpretations favored by advocacy groups.