America’s public lands aren’t just lines on a map—they’re places people hunt, fish, hike, and pass down to their kids. But Trump and his allies in Congress are pushing a massive sell-off that would put those lands in the hands of wealthy donors and political insiders, leaving the rest of us with the fallout.
Selling off public lands isn’t popular for a reason. It would destroy wildlife habitats, threaten clean water, and take away outdoor spaces that families across the country rely on. Once those places are gone, they’re gone for good.
At the same time, Trump’s administration is tearing up hard-fought protections that have kept public lands safe for over a century. They’re even trying to gut the Antiquities Act—the law used by presidents of both parties to protect national treasures like the Grand Canyon and Bears Ears.
We’re calling out efforts to hand over public lands to special interests and extremists. Because protecting these places isn’t just about scenery—it’s about defending our environment, our heritage, and the rights of future generations to enjoy them.
Accountable.US found that Lanora Pettit, who leads DOJ’s Office Of Legal Counsel and issued the opinion reinterpreting the 1906 Antiquities Act following Trump’s call for review, holds close ties to the far-right Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn whose right wing group is already suing to protest suing to protest national monuments.
A new review by government watchdog Accountable.US explores how the leaked Interior plans and “emergency declaration” offer the clearest evidence to date that the Trump administration is preparing policies that favor Big Oil at the expense of our environment and public lands, including companies that directly bankrolled the Trump campaign.
Yesterday, Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that the Trump Administration would dramatically shorten the window for review of drilling permit applications on public lands – delivering on a Project 2025 promise to help Big Oil special interests fast-track drilling projects without oversight from Americans.
Pollution from big oil often hits Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities the hardest.
Get the latest news on how we’re holding big business, government officials, and special interests accountable, and what you can do to get involved.
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