Trump Administration Strips Habitat Protections From Endangered Species Act

On July 10, 2026, the Interior and Commerce departments finalized a rule that narrows "harm" under the Endangered Species Act to direct killing only, removing habitat degradation from federal protections for the first time since 1995. The change opens wildlife ranges to logging, mining, and development. The ESA has prevented 99% of its 1,700-plus listed species from extinction, a record advocates attribute to habitat safeguards. The rule now faces likely Supreme Court challenge.