Trump's Endangered Species Committee exempts oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from rules

Trump's Endangered Species Committee has exempted oil and gas drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico from federal environmental protections, according to the exemption announced by the panel. The committee, composed of Trump administration officials and colloquially known as the "God Squad" for its power to override species protections, granted the exemption despite warnings from environmental critics. The move could jeopardize a rare whale species and damage other marine ecosystems, according to those opposing the decision. The Endangered Species Act allows the committee to grant exemptions to drilling and development projects when economic benefits are deemed to outweigh environmental harm. The exemption represents a significant shift toward prioritizing energy development over wildlife protection in federal waters.