Trump Administration Rescinds Rules on Threatened Species Under ESA

The Trump administration issued policy changes concerning the Endangered Species Act (ESA) through the Fish and Wildlife Service. These actions involve a broad attempt to reinterpret the 1973 ESA to weaken protections for imperiled plants and animals. Specifically, the administration rescinded the 'blanket rule,' which had previously given threatened species the same protections as endangered ones, such as prohibiting illegal killing, trapping, or harassing them.

The rollback of the blanket rule applies only to newly declared threatened species, such as the Florida manatee. Furthermore, the administration now requires regulators to consider the economic toll of habitat protection when making decisions under the ESA.

The policy changes are part of a broader effort by the administration to redefine how the ESA operates and how it balances species protection with economic activity.