Washington, D.C.

Robert Dewey, Defenders of Wildlife Vice President of Government Relations, today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's updated budget request:

"The president's FY26 budget request affirms the destructive impact to wildlife evident in his early topline budget request. The Trump Extinction Budget would destroy the national endangered species program, a highly effective and already underfunded effort that provides a lifeline for critically imperiled species, and is yet another example of the disregard this administration has for the people and agencies charged with conserving America’s wildlife. The fate of over 1,600 species listed under the Endangered Species Act is largely up to Congress which must reject the Trump Extinction Budget and affirm the nation’s longstanding commitment to saving wildlife.”

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For inquiries, please contact Communications Director, Maggie Dewane at mdewane@defenders.org

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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