Trump’s Attacks on the Environment Are Out of Touch With America

President Donald Trump's administration has been failing to protect America's environment and national parks, despite his campaign promises to "Make America Beautiful Again." Early in his second term, the administration launched a well-intentioned executive order to secure funding for public lands, forests, water, and outdoor recreation. However, the reality has been far from the promise.

This administration has gutted national park staff, opposed by 86% of Americans; proposed selling off public land, opposed by nearly 90% of voters in Western states; rolled back policies like the Endangered Species Act, opposed by 85% of Americans; and stripped protections for clean water, clean air, and national forests, also opposed by the majority of Americans. Their actions have led to a record-low share of Americans believing our environment is healthy.

Administration officials and supporters claim their actions are justified by efficiency, local management, or economic growth. However, taken together, these policies represent a refusal to treat the environment and public lands as a priority. While the economy is a top concern, it should not come at the cost of our natural resources and beauty. The federal government manages nearly a third of all land in the U.S., and the current approach compounds decades of mismanagement and underfunding.

Our air and water quality are worsening, invasive species are spreading rapidly, and soil health is degrading. Protecting our National Parks and the environment should not be a partisan fight but a productive dialogue that improves the lives of Americans across the country. The majority of voters across the political spectrum want the same things for our public lands.

If the Republican Party fails to prioritize environmental protection, they risk losing voters. Americans pride themselves on the beauty of our nation and believe it is worth defending, not as a political game but as a matter of national identity and pride.