November 20, 2025 — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed rolling back changes made to strengthen the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under former U.S. President Joe Biden, reverting parts of the law to the language used during Trump’s first term.
“This administration is restoring the Endangered Species Act to its original intent, protecting species through clear, consistent, and lawful standards that also respect the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a release. “These revisions end years of legal confusion and regulatory overreach, delivering certainty to states, Tribes, landowners, and businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense.”