In brief
In his new role, President Trump has invoked the rarely used God Squad committee, which can exempt particular projects from the Endangered Species Act, potentially leading to species extinction. This term refers to the Endangered Species Committee, comprised of high-ranking officials, including the interior secretary and other cabinet members. While the committee aims to balance economic benefits against environmental laws, it has only convened three times since its inception in 1978. Legal experts warn that despite the President's intentions, multiple procedural hurdles remain.
The power to convene the God Squad stems from an amendment to the Endangered Species Act, allowing selected members to potentially override existing protections regarding endangered species. Each member, including representatives from affected states, votes on whether economic factors should prevail over environmental standards. A majority of five votes can approve significant projects that threaten species.Although the God Squad has permitted two exemptions, it denied one in the past, marking its restrictive use in prioritizing environmental concerns. Legal experts express skepticism about the President's claims that utilizing this committee will be straightforward, indicating a rigorous process must be followed before any such exemptions can be granted.
