Seeking Oil, 'God Squad' Environmental Panel Rolls Back Animal Protections in Gulf of Mexico

A US government panel decided on Tuesday to end protections for more than a dozen endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmentalists vowed to push back. They say the move threatens the safety of animals on the brink of extinction.

The panel is called the Endangered Species Committee (ESC). It is a group of federal officials. It is also known as the “God Squad.” The title refers to their ability to control laws that may decide whether a species is preserved or allowed to go extinct. All six members of the panel are Trump appointees. They got together at the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He argued that the US needs more oil. That's because of the ongoing conflict with Iran. He wanted the ESC to do away with rules that protect species in the gulf. That, he said, would allow for more oil drilling.

Hegseth told the committee that rules protecting wildlife help the US' enemies. “We cannot allow our own rules to weaken our standing and strengthen those who wish to harm us," he said. "When development in the Gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country and as a department.”

The panel voted unanimously to grant Hegseth’s request. They removed the protections. Environmentalists said they plan to challenge the move in court.

“This is nonsensical,” Jane Davenport told The New York Times. “ ... There is not a shred of evidence that the (rules have) resulted in any restrictions on the amount of oil produced there.” Davenport is a senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. It is a conservation group.

Among the species likely threatened by increased boat traffic and oil drilling: Rice’s whale. The whales are indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico. Biologists estimate there may be fewer than 50 left in the wild.

Reflect: How would you decide between protecting nature and meeting human needs, and what values would guide your decision?

Photo of sea turtle from Unsplash courtesy of Stefan.