In response to news that President Trump plans to accept Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s recommendations to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, Western Values Project Executive Director Chris Saeger released the following statement:

“President Trump is poised to bet once again on the most scandal-plagued member of his cabinet. The outcome, in this case, is likely to be as messy as every other problem Secretary Zinke has created for the administration.”

“For his part, Secretary Zinke has left no doubt that he abandoned his Teddy Roosevelt credentials at the Montana state line. Zinke is on track to be responsible for the largest reductions in public lands protections in American history. That may earn him points with the special interests that have backed his political career, but these irresponsible decisions will hurt public lands users throughout the West.”