Federal “God Squad” Votes to Override Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Trump administration overrides endangered species protections for Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling citing national security.
How This Affects You
Marine species including a whale species with only 51 individuals face drilling threats, potentially affecting long-term ocean ecosystems and fisheries that support coastal economies.
AI Summary
The Trump administration's "God Squad"—the Endangered Species Committee—voted on March 31 to override Endangered Species Act protections for all federally regulated fossil fuel operations in the Gulf of Mexico, citing national security concerns raised by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The rare panel, convened by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, would potentially allow oil and gas drilling to proceed despite threats to sea turtles and a whale species reduced to 51 individuals. The exemption marks an extraordinary use of the committee, which in its nearly 50-year history has granted only two previous exemptions and has not been convened in decades. The Trump administration bypassed standard procedural requirements, including the evidentiary hearing typically required before the committee decides whether reasonable alternatives exist and whether project benefits outweigh risks to species survival. The meeting was livestreamed March 31 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, with environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity signaling they will continue legal challenges.
What's Being Done
Environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity have signaled they will continue legal challenges to the exemption.
Source Coverage Map
6 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
‘God Squad’ Waives Environmental Rules for Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico - The New York Times
‘God squad’ waives endangered species law to allow US drilling in Gulf of Mexico
Trump’s ‘God Squad’ exempts Gulf oil drilling from Endangered Species Act requirements
Trump Calls on “God Squad” to Bypass Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
EnvironmentTrump to revoke protections for endangered species in Gulf of Mexico
<p>President is convening so-called ‘God squad’ to override provisions of Endangered Species Act for ‘national security’</p><p>Donald Trump is <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/16/2026-05242/endangered-species-committee-meeting-announcement">dispatching</a> a so-called “God squad” of top officials to revoke protections for endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico, purportedly to protect national security by expanding oil and gas industry operations.</p><p>If successful, the administration may kill off dozens of protected species – from Rice’s whales and whooping cranes to sea turtles.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/trump-protections-endangered-species-gulf-of-mexico">Continue reading...</a>
EnvironmentKey committee votes to exempt oil and gas activity in Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Committee voted Tuesday to exempt oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act protections. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
EnvironmentTrump's Endangered Species Committee exempts oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from rules
Critics say the move could doom a rare whale species and harm other marine life. Nicknamed the "God Squad" by groups who say it can decide a species' fate, the committee comprises several Trump administration officials.
PoliticsTrump administration seeks Endangered Species Act exemption for oil, gas projects in Gulf - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxNYlZqbGI1UTEtdHhCeXNKRkhzWVo1ZUlHclF0SDE4VXA4cFc4X1VRVG9neEFNMnNaVjFUeFZvNkJUSnJZYjNOWDFrbmZPa0NHaU4yaU1fODFfMVYxblRBbmNDSXl2eXdPVVd5eE5FNzkyekt5cDF0bWJVQnQ3VzNWZ0phVVZNZnNCN2pBZG1jU0t1Z245MENobmtQcUxRZw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump administration seeks Endangered Species Act exemption for oil, gas projects in Gulf</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
EnvironmentUS exempts Gulf of Mexico drillers from protecting endangered species - Reuters
National SecurityU.S. could exempt oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for 'national security'
National security has never been used to call a meeting of the "God Squad." But other federal agencies have been citing the "energy emergency" to avoid rules meant to protect endangered animals.
Trump Calls on “God Squad” to Bypass Endangered Species Laws for Offshore Drilling
This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The Trump administration is turning to the nuclear option on endangered-species protections in the name of national security. A rarely tapped panel nicknamed the “God Squad” will meet Tuesday to discuss whether overriding Endangered Species Act regulations for all […]
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
Pentagon will remove media offices after judge reinstates NYT's press credentials
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'
After 16 years and $8 billion, the military's new GPS software still doesn't work
