AP FACT CHECK: Trump's curious case for shrinking monuments
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump made a curious case for stripping federal protections from vast stretches of two of America's national monument lands.
For one, he said his decision will give Native Americans back their "rightful voice over the sacred land." But they already have specified rights on the land, thanks to the national monument designation under the Antiquities Act, and fear losing those rights under his decision. That's why they're fighting his action in court.
Trump also said that thanks to his decision, "families will hike and hunt on land they have known for generations, and they will preserve it for generations to come. Cattle will graze along the open range. Sweeping landscapes will inspire young Americans to dream beyond the horizon."
But hiking, hunting and cattle-grazing are already allowed on the lands that make up the two national monuments he is targeting in Utah: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. If the loss of protection spurs energy development, people may see mines on a sweeping landscape where they are now forbidden.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/factcheck/ap-fact-check-trumps-curious-case-for-shrinking-monuments/ar-BBGh89a?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=edgsp
Not so mysterious really. Trump did this as a big favor to Orin Hatch and wants him to run again. He's scared Mitt Romney will run for his seat if he retires. GOP or not there's no love lost between Trump and Romney.
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