Interior Secretary David Bernhardt prioritized making an announcement not related to the coronavirus pandemic while repeated requests for help by state and local officials have gone unanswered by the Trump Administration. In response, Jayson O’Neill, Director of Western Values Project, issued the following statement:
“Instead of responding to pleas by state and local officials for needed agency resources, assistance, and help during this generational pandemic, Secretary Bernhardt made a tone-deaf announcement that by no means could ever make up for the hunting opportunities and wildlife lost as a result of Trump’s deregulatory agenda decimating our public lands and environmental protections.
“Bernhardt clearly needs to reassess his priorities to make sure the necessities of American families and workers are met first. You’d think President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt would have learned from their reckless decision to waive national park fees and encourage visitors that risked countless lives.”
State and Local Government Associations’ letter to President Trump requesting a pause on major policy decisions and public comment periods due to COVID-19.
Western Governors’ letter to Interior Secretary Bernhardt requesting assistance with COVID-19 response.
Learn more about the Trump Administration’s decimation of America’s public lands and environmental protections at WesternValuesProject.org, a Montana-based Accountable.US project focused on public lands conservation.