For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

President Trump’s leaked proposal to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure guts basic environmental protections, including safeguards for endangered species and their habitat, while increasing the costs to hardworking Americans for basic services from clean water to roads and bridges.

Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark issued the following statement:

“If President Trump includes the cuts in this leaked proposal in his final infrastructure plan, it would be a blueprint for the reckless destruction of our natural heritage. This plan would increase costs for Americans while gutting fundamental protections for our air, lands, water and wildlife. Our nation’s environmental health and conservation legacy are not President Trump’s to bulldoze. This plan is a disaster for endangered species, migratory birds and fragile wildlife habitat across the country. Congress should reject this proposal and authorize a bill that invests in the clean, resilient, safe infrastructure Americans and wildlife deserve.”

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

News

Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Washington, D.C.

Court Victory for Florida Wetlands Protection

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that permits to build in wetlands should stay in the hands of
Willet
Washington, D.C.

Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf

In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Visit the newsroom