Trump Administration Considers Revoking National Monument Designations Amid Controversy

Trump Administration Aims to Revisit National Monuments

The Trump administration is reportedly gearing up to overturn several national monuments designated by former presidents, including recent designations made by President Joe Biden. This development follows a legal opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice suggesting that Trump possesses the authority to revoke such designations, a move that contradicts 87 years of legal interpretations of the Antiquities Act.

Established in 1906, the Antiquities Act empowers U.S. presidents to create national monuments to safeguard significant historic or scientific sites. Since the law’s inception, most presidents have utilized it to create or expand over 160 monuments, with the notable exception of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Among Biden’s most prominent dedications was the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado, which honors the training site of the 10th Mountain Division during World War II.

Legal Interpretations and Revisions

The recent Justice Department opinion, articulated by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lanora Pettit, states that the President not only can rescind monuments but suggests that past abuses of this power have justified such actions. This perspective marks a departure from a 1938 opinion which declared that the Antiquities Act did not grant presidents the right to eliminate national monuments.

Mark Squillace, a natural resources law professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasized that the Antiquities Act provides one-way authority to designate monuments. He stated, “The authority to alter or remove a national monument declaration has remained with Congress.” He also pointed out that, historically, Congress has never revoked significant national monuments.

Potential Monument Revisions

While it remains unclear which monuments the Trump administration intends to target, the Justice Department’s opinion identifies specific sites such as the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California, established by Biden. Reports have highlighted that a total of six monuments may be at risk, including others in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

Critically, the Camp Hale monument could face scrutiny, reflecting the administration’s shift in public land protections. Advocacy groups emphasize that these national monuments benefit from significant public support, evidenced by a recent survey indicating 92% of Colorado voters believe recent designations should be preserved.

Public Support and Advocacy

The 2025 Conservation in the West Poll engaged over 3,000 voters across eight Western states, finding that a vast majority—89%—believe recent national monument designations should remain intact. Among supporters of Trump’s movement, 81% favored keeping such protections in place.

In response to potential reversals, organizations such as The Mountain Pact issued strong statements affirming that “fifty dense pages” of legal opinions from the Trump administration will not sway public sentiment in favor of national monuments.

Historical Context and the Future

Historically, a few past presidents made attempts to reduce national monuments, including President Woodrow Wilson and President Dwight Eisenhower. The Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations have collectively established 30 new monuments in the last decade. This ongoing tug-of-war over public land designations continues to fuel debate over the balance between preservation and economic development.

As the Trump administration weighs its options on national monument designations, analysts predict any attempts to rescind such protections will undoubtedly incite significant public opposition and possible legal challenges. Squillace noted, “We will see litigation almost for sure,” highlighting that such discussions could evolve into broader legal battles addressing the extent of presidential powers under the Antiquities Act.

Recent National Monuments at Risk of Revisions

Any moves by the Trump administration will likely face fierce scrutiny and opposition, potential litigation, and a continued focus on the preservation of America’s natural and historical treasures.