President Trump has invoked the “God Squad,” a panel that can grant exemptions to the Endangered Species Act, raising concerns about its use to push development projects.
Catrin Einhorn reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The “God Squad,” officially the Endangered Species Committee, can allow projects to proceed even if they endanger species, but the process involves strict legal and procedural requirements.
- Trump’s recent executive orders call for convening the panel regularly to address energy infrastructure and water management issues, including species protections.
- Legal experts argue that meeting the procedural standards for exemptions is complex and lengthy, making its actual use unlikely in the short term.
Key quote:
“They can cause the species to go extinct from the face of the earth.”
— Patrick Parenteau, emeritus professor, Vermont Law and Graduate School
Why this matters:
Recent discussions about expediting the use of the God Squad have sparked concern among conservationists. Critics argue that lowering the threshold for convening the committee could erode protections for endangered species, allowing economic priorities to dominate. Proponents of these changes often cite the need for streamlined development, particularly in infrastructure or energy sectors. But the push to relax these rigorous standards raises questions about the long-term consequences for biodiversity, especially at a time when extinction rates are accelerating due to habitat loss, climate change and human activity.
Related: Endangered Species Act faces potential overhaul under Trump
