Trump Expected to Review National Monument Boundaries for Energy Development

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering once again reducing the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah, along with four other Western monuments, to promote potential energy development such as mining and oil drilling. These monuments have repeatedly been subject to political shifts: originally established or expanded under Presidents Clinton and Obama, dramatically reduced by Trump in 2017, and then restored to full size by President Biden. The debate highlights contrasting views among Interior secretaries, with some expressing shock at reduced protections and others arguing for smaller, more manageable monument sizes. The ongoing controversy underscores the monuments’ significance as both cultural and environmental landmarks and as focal points in national debates over land use and resource extraction.