Mastodawn

Waiving the #EndangeredSpeciesAct is an Abdication of Science and Moral Authority
The Trump administration invokes the #EndangeredSpeciesCommittee—a group of six people who are members of the Cabinet and other high-ranking officials, authorized to “waive” the protections of the Act—to push through some policy they couldn’t achieve through normal means. In just 15 minutes, issued a “waiver” for #oil and #gas production in the #GulfOfMexico that threaten #Endangeredspecies.
https://scilight.substack.com/p/waiving-the-endangered-species-act

Waiving the Endangered Species Act is an Abdication of Science and Moral Authority

Last spring, while on a bike ride with a fellow conservationist also well-versed in the Endangered Species Act, we made a prediction: the new Trump administration would invoke the Endangered Species Committee—a group of six people who are members of the Cabinet and other high-ranking officials, authorized to “waive” the protections of the Act—to push through some policy they couldn’t achieve through normal means.

SciLight

Trevor McLeod 1d ago

" ... if I was still capable of shock, this would do it.

#trump #ricewhales #whales #cetacean #gulfofmexico #extinction

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/05/rice-whales-extinction-trump-gulf-mexico

Rice’s whales existed before humans. Now Trump could make them extinct

The US has invoked national security to remove protections for the endangered cetacean, of which only about 50 are left

The Guardian

BlackReign 2d ago

@DemocracyMattersALot

I'm sick. Just sick. That aside, this has made me do a little research into the history of the Gulf of Mexico. I find it quite interesting.

(I just had to stack onto a post I rewooted from Democracy Matters -
@DemocracyMattersALot)

#politicalYuck #politics #gulfOfMexico #politicalChange #changeMatters #democracy

Don't Sweat The Technique ✊2d ago

I am all for fighting to retain the #GulfOfMexico as the name for the gulf, but it might be tactically smart to throw #Trump a bone. Rename #Florida the "Droop of Trump" or something 🤷

Jeri Dansky 2d ago

RE: https://mstdn.social/@DemocracyMattersALot/116346680247421904

I just reported a problem with "Gulf of America" to Apple. It wouldn't let me choose "name is wrong" as an option — the "submit" button wasn't active — so I just chose "something else" and told them the name is wrong.

PS: I don't like the framing here. We can attack Trump's words and deeds without resorting to stuff like "shits himself."

#uspol #GulfOfMexico

Eider 4d ago

There was a cover-up attempt

How high did it go?

Did it reach all the way to Claudia Sheinbaum?

I've a hunch she is not part of it, however her response could change that

It is needless to say, but PEMEX and Navy heads must roll

https://www.proceso.com.mx/nacional/2026/3/30/derrame-en-el-golfo-comenzo-desde-febrero-senalan-organizaciones-civiles-371290.html

(google translation to English)

https://www-proceso-com-mx.translate.goog/nacional/2026/3/30/derrame-en-el-golfo-comenzo-desde-febrero-senalan-organizaciones-civiles-371290.html?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

#Greenpeace #SaveTheOceans #GulfOfMexico

Derrame en el Golfo comenzó desde febrero, señalan organizaciones civiles

Un grupo de 17 ONG afirmó que el actual derrame de hidrocarburos en el Golfo de México no comenzó en marzo sino desde inicios de febrero, en torno a infraestructura petrolera de Pemex

Proceso

ˈdälfən™🐬 💥 🌊5d ago

The 'God Squad' voted to exempt all oil & gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico...

Which environmentalists fear could mean extinction for the critically endangered Rice’s whale, which has just 50 whales left ONLY in the #GulfOfMexico 👀

The "God Squad' is a panel of 6 high-ranking federal officials on the Endangered Species Committee that decides exemptions in the Endangered Species Act (thus determining if a species survives or goes extinct).

#USA #trump #environment
--

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/31/climate/trump-god-squad-rices-whale-gulf-oil

Only 50 of these whales are left in existence. Trump’s ‘God Squad’ just chose oil drilling over protecting them

For the fourth time in its history, the Endangered Species Committee met Tuesday to decide whether to grant an exception to federal animal protections. It chose to allow oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico to operate without regard for critical species, such as the Rice’s whale.

CNN

Andy Tseng 5d ago

Can we do more damage to the planet for the next generation? #ClimateCrisis #GodSquad #EndangeredSpeciesAct #SaveTheWhales #GulfOfMexico

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zqmge5vdvci6zqi46zy55oa4/post/3mieejeumyk23

Cosmic Librarian 5d ago

U.S. exempts oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for 'national security'

"To be secure as a nation we need a steady, affordable supply of our own energy," Hegseth told the six members of the committee, nicknamed the God Squad for its ability to make life or death decisions about endangered animals. "This is not just about gas prices; it's about our ability to power our military and protect our nation."

More like 'Satan's Supporters'?

#gulfofmexico #wildlife #oilindustry #endangeredwildlife #nationalsecurity

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/30/nx-s1-5745926/endangered-species-committee-hegseth-security

CBC Technology Science 5d ago

Trump officials exempt drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species act, putting rare whale at risk
The Trump administration has exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act after U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said environmentalists' lawsuits threatened to hobble domestic energy supplies as the U.S. wages war against Iran.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/endangered-species-god-squad-rice-s-whale-9.7148779?cmp=rss