The DOJ just told Trump he can eliminate monuments. Now what?

13/06/2025 17 min
The DOJ just told Trump he can eliminate monuments. Now what?

Listen "The DOJ just told Trump he can eliminate monuments. Now what?"

Episode Synopsis

Trump’s Department of Justice just released an opinion stating that the Antiquities Act gives presidents the power to shrink or eliminate national monuments at will. But what does that mean, for example, if Trump tries to undo Chuckwalla National Monument or shrink Bears Ears? Will this DOJ opinion stand up in court? We put those questions and more to John Leshy, professor at UC Law and former Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Clinton. 
News

DOJ finds Trump can abolish areas protected as national monuments – Washington Post

Resources

Episode transcript (to come)


Credits
Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss 
Feedback: [email protected]
Music: Purple Planet
Featured image: Bears Ears National Monument – Indian Creek; Photo by Bob Wick, BLM
The post The DOJ just told Trump he can eliminate monuments. Now what? appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

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