Trump Administration – Southern Fried Science

The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act

August 21, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

There are three ways to destroy an environmental law. You can repeal it. You can withhold funds to enact or enforce the law. Or you can keep the law on the books, but rewrite the machinery that makes it work (i.e., you can sabotage it). Over the course of two weeks, the U.S. Fish and … Read More “The Trump Administration’s latest attack on the Endangered Species Act” »

Endangered species in limbo

August 17, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Science

If you spend any time scrolling through the Federal Register (and let’s be honest, that’s just one of the cool, hip, and happening ways we pass the time here at Southern Fried Science), you will notice an alarming trend. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is widely considered the gold standard of conservation law and it … Read More “Endangered species in limbo” »

Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans

August 14, 2026 Ali Gaster No Comments

Conservation, Policy, Uncategorized

The last 18 months have been an absolute nightmare for U.S. ocean and conservation policy. But here are the top ten worst things (in no particular order) this administration has done to marine conservation. 1. Opening Papahānaumokuākea to fishing In June 2026, a sweeping executive proclamation tore down commercial fishing bans in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine … Read More “Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans” »

When universities puts $$$ before science and ethics

August 3, 2026 Ali Gaster

Academic life, Policy

One thing the latest Trump regime has shown is which university administrators actually care about academic freedom, the pursuit of science, and diversity and equity, and which were just paying lip service for the sake of grant money. For years, universities have proudly proclaimed their commitment to scientific integrity, inclusion, open inquiry, and the idea … Read More “When universities puts $$$ before science and ethics” »

First, do no harm.

July 17, 2026August 3, 2026 Ali Gaster

Conservation, Policy, Science

How the Trump Administration has yet again hobbled the Endangered Species Act. The Trump administration has officially finalized a rule stripping habitat destruction from the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a joint announcement by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce, officials rolled back a 40-year conservation … Read More “First, do no harm. “ »

For when the madness ends: a 5-point plan for getting conservation back on track in the US

July 9, 2026August 3, 2026 Ali Gaster

Conservation

Let’s not mince words: the last eighteen months have been an absolute nightmare for federal ocean and conservation policy. Landmark environmental protections have been rolled back or severely hobbled, while agency budgets were slashed more than Janet Leigh when Norman Bates was in a particularly stabby mood. But looking towards the 2026 midterm elections, the … Read More “For when the madness ends: a 5-point plan for getting conservation back on track in the US” »

We already know what another Trump Presidency would mean for the ocean

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 Andrew Thaler

Policy

Yesterday, we published a rundown of all the ways in which Trump’s Project 2025 would impact ocean science and conservation. Trump’s Project 2025 is an agenda, a glimpse at what a future administration might do. Trump already served one term as president. We already know what the Trump Ocean Doctrine looks like, and it doesn’t … Read More “We already know what another Trump Presidency would mean for the ocean” »

The State of the Environment Address

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Chris Parsons

Conservation

US President Donald Trump said “I believe in clean air. I believe in crystal clear beautiful water.”

Image via gify.com

However, in last night’s State of the Union Address he declared his support for promoting coal-based energy* and he gave public notice of his intentions to curtail the environmental impact assessment process and environmental regulation for construction and road-building. This would be the latest in a series of executive actions that are removing or hindering environmental protection including, amongst others: