Trump Reduces Utah National Monuments, Sparking Legal and Environmental Response

President Donald Trump has reduced the size of two national monuments, reigniting the debate over conservation, land use, and presidential power. On a recent Monday, Trump signed executive orders that dramatically shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Monuments in Utah. Nearly 3 million acres are removed from protection, surpassing the reductions Trump made in his first term.

Trump’s administration, along with congressional Republicans, previously aimed to permit drilling, mining, and logging on public lands. They have also rolled back species protections and conservation rules. “They took the land from the people quite honestly,” Trump stated at a White House ceremony. “We’re giving it back.” The White House did not provide further comment when contacted by Newsweek.

A map from Newsweek shows boundary changes over time. It compares the original boundaries restored by former President Joe Biden to Trump’s 2017 reductions and the latest 2026 cuts, which go even further.

Trump Shrinks Utah National Monuments Again

Trump made these announcements in the presence of Utah Governor Spencer Cox and state congressional members. Bears Ears is reduced from 1.36 million acres to about 121,000 acres, and Grand Staircase-Escalante goes from 1.87 million acres to 182,000 acres. Overall, nearly 3 million acres are removed from monument protection.

During the signing, Trump argued the previous boundaries were unfair to Utah residents. State officials said the monuments were larger than needed to protect historical and archaeological resources. The decision is similar to Trump’s 2017 reduction of both monuments.

Changes in Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Over Time

President Bill Clinton established Grand Staircase-Escalante in 1996, protecting almost 1.9 million acres known for geological and paleontological significance. In 2016, President Barack Obama designated Bears Ears following extensive advocacy by Native American tribes who emphasized the need to protect culturally vital sites.

In 2017, Trump reduced Bears Ears from 1.35 million acres to about 228,000 acres and cut Grand Staircase-Escalante to 1 million acres, leading to lawsuits from tribes and environmental groups. Biden restored both monuments’ original boundaries in 2021, reversing Trump’s initial reductions. Trump’s new orders dramatically reduce Bears Ears to 121,000 acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante to about 182,000 acres, slashing their previously protected size by about 90%.

Opposition Groups Promise New Legal Challenges

Environmental and tribal groups quickly condemned the reductions, hinting at legal battles. Earthjustice labeled the actions an attack on significant cultural and natural landscapes. Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain Office, stated: “The Antiquities Act authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, not to destroy them.” McIntosh added that the proclamations undermine years of efforts to protect these lands.

The Center for Biological Diversity also criticized the cuts, warning that they compromise wildlife habitats and cultural resources. Davina Smith–Idjesa, co-chair of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, expressed concern for the region’s cultural significance, noting: “This decision dishonors generations of care and weakens the unity we’ve built to safeguard Bears Ears for everyone.” Newsweek reached out to both Earthjustice and The Center for Biological Diversity for comments.