Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Modifying the Bears Ears National Monument — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation modifying the boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument, reducing its size to approximately 121,096 acres. The modification aims to ensure the monument's boundaries are confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects of historic and scientific interest. The proclamation also opens excluded lands to mineral and geothermal leasing and other uses, citing national security and economic reasons. The Bears Ears Commission is disbanded, and a new advisory committee is established with representation from various stakeholders.
• President Trump Modifies Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation modifying the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The modification reduces the monument to approximately 181,541 acres, divided into the Canyons of the Escalante Unit and the Kaiparowits Horizon Unit. This change aims to align the monument's size with the smallest area necessary for the protection of historic and scientific objects, as required by the Antiquities Act. The proclamation also opens excluded lands to mineral and geothermal leasing and other uses, emphasizing the need for domestic resource security.
• Presidential Proclamation on the Death of Senator Lindsey Graham — President of the United States issued a proclamation ordering the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff in honor of Senator Lindsey Graham's memory and service. This directive applies to the White House, public buildings, military posts, naval stations, and U.S. embassies worldwide until July 18, 2026.
• President Trump issued proclamation ordering flags at half-staff to honor Senator Lindsey Graham — President Trump issued a proclamation on July 13, 2026, directing that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories, as well as at all U.S. embassies and military facilities abroad, until 6:00 p.m. on July 18, 2026, as a mark of respect for Senator Lindsey Graham's memory and service.
• President Trump signed proclamations reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments — President Trump signed two proclamations on July 13, 2026, reducing the size of Bears Ears National Monument from 1.36 million acres to 121,100 acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from 1.87 million acres to 181,500 acres. The White House fact sheet states the reductions will allow "multiple-use, sustained-yield management" including grazing, timber harvest, fishing, hunting, resource development, and motorized recreation on the surrounding lands.
• Trump issued proclamation reducing Bears Ears National Monument from 1.36 million to 121,096 acres — President Trump signed Proclamation modifying the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, reducing its protected area from approximately 1.36 million acres to approximately 121,096 acres across two units (Shash Jáa Unit and Indian Creek Unit). The proclamation excludes approximately 1.24 million acres, opening them to mineral leasing, mining, and other resource extraction. The proclamation states the excluded lands contain critical minerals including silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, uranium, vanadium, and zinc needed for national security and economic independence. The proclamation also disbands the Bears Ears Commission and revises the advisory committee structure.
• Trump issued proclamation reducing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from 1.87 million to approximately 181,541 acres — President Trump signed Proclamation 10287 on July 13, 2026, modifying the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The proclamation reduces the monument from approximately 1.87 million acres (established by President Biden in 2021) to two units totaling approximately 181,541 acres: the Canyons of the Escalante Unit and the Kaiparowits Horizon Unit. The proclamation states that approximately 1.69 million acres are being excluded from monument protection. The excluded lands will be opened to mineral leasing, mining, and other resource extraction 60 days after the proclamation's issuance. The proclamation asserts that the prior expansion lacked sufficient historic or scientific justification under the Antiquities Act and that the reduction will facilitate access to critical minerals and domestic resource development.
• Biden restores national monuments to original size — On October 8, 2021, President Joe Biden announced the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments to their original sizes, reversing reductions made during the Trump administration. This restoration emphasizes the Biden administration's commitment to environmental protection and Indigenous rights.
• Trump declared a national energy emergency — President Trump declared a "national energy emergency," establishing the policy rationale for his subsequent proclamations shrinking national monuments. The declaration prioritizes energy development over environmental and cultural protections on federal lands.
• Trump signed proclamations shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments — President Trump signed two proclamations reducing the size of Utah's Bears Ears National Monument by 91% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately 90%, removing nearly three million acres from federal monument protection. These reductions exceed the cuts made during his first term. The proclamations follow Trump's declaration of a "national energy emergency" and align with Project 2025's goal to open federal lands to private development and oil and gas drilling.
• Trump signs proclamations to shrink national monuments — On July 13, 2026, President Donald Trump signed two proclamations that will significantly reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument by 91% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately 90%. This action removes nearly three million acres from federal protection, continuing his administration's efforts to open public lands to private development and resource extraction. The proclamations are seen as part of a broader strategy to challenge the Antiquities Act and limit presidential powers in land protection.
• Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts urges pushback against Antiquities Act — In March 2021, Chief Justice John Roberts encouraged opponents of land protection to challenge the Antiquities Act, suggesting that the broad protections established under it represent an abuse of power. This statement reflects ongoing tensions regarding the balance of power in land management and the role of the judiciary in environmental policy.
• Trump reduced Bears Ears National Monument by 85% during first term — During his first term, President Trump ordered the largest national monument reduction in U.S. history, slashing the size of Utah's Bears Ears National Monument by 85%, a goal aligned with uranium-mining interests, and reducing Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by approximately half, favoring coal interests.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration Dismisses Scientists from Climate Assessment — The Trump administration informed nearly 400 scientists they would no longer contribute to the National Climate Assessment, a congressionally mandated report. This decision affects the report's comprehensiveness and scientific integrity.
• Trump administration dismisses contributors to climate report — The Trump administration has dismissed nearly 400 contributors to the sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA), a key US government study on climate crisis preparedness. This assessment, mandated by Congress, is crucial for federal and local governments to plan for climate impacts such as extreme heat, hurricanes, flooding, and drought. The contributors, consisting of scientists and experts, were notified by email, leaving the future of the report, due in 2028, uncertain. The move has drawn criticism for undermining scientific integrity and leaving the nation vulnerable to climate-related disasters.