President Trump has received legal backing to potentially dismantle national monuments that were established by previous administrations. This week, the Justice Department issued an opinion stating that the president has the authority to revoke national monuments created by his predecessors under the Antiquities Act. This could affect California’s two newest monuments: Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands.
The legal opinion, released on May 27, reverses an 80-year-old determination that presidents cannot revoke national monuments set aside by previous presidents. The decision comes as the Interior Department is considering changes to national monuments to boost U.S. energy production, raising concerns among conservationists about the future of public lands.
Former President Biden established Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands as national monuments shortly before leaving office. The Justice Department’s opinion, titled “Revocation of Prior Monument Designations,” asserts that presidents can decide that the landmarks or objects designated in a previous declaration are no longer worthy of protection, allowing for possible revocation.
California has the most national monuments in the country, totaling 21. The Antiquities Act has been used by both Republican and Democratic presidents over the years to designate protected areas. Senator Alex Padilla from California expressed concern over the implications of the Justice Department’s opinion, calling it “extremely dangerous.” He questioned Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about the administration’s intentions regarding the new monuments, which have strong bipartisan support.
Burgum responded that the department is reviewing the recently created monuments and aims to balance land use restrictions with economic opportunities for local communities. Critics, including Senator Adam Schiff, argue that the Trump administration is attempting to rewrite the Antiquities Act without congressional approval, undermining decades of conservation efforts.
Chuckwalla National Monument spans 624,000 acres of desert landscape, while Sáttítla Highlands covers 224,000 acres of forests and geological features near the Oregon border. Native American groups played a significant role in advocating for the protection of these lands, which they consider sacred.
The authority of a president to alter or revoke national monuments is a contentious issue. Legal experts note that courts have not definitively ruled on whether one president can undo another’s monument designations. If Trump moves to revoke protections for these California monuments, it is likely to lead to legal challenges.
Conservation advocates are raising awareness about the importance of Chuckwalla and the support it has received from the community. They recently hosted an event to celebrate the 119th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, showcasing the diverse activities that can take place in the national monument.
As discussions continue, the fate of these newly established monuments hangs in the balance, with both supporters and opponents closely watching the developments.