Trump Administration Calls “God Squad” for Rare Meeting to Consider Circumventing Endangered Species Act for Big Oil 

Extraordinary exemption could allow expanded drilling in the Gulf of Mexico with disregard for nearly extinct whale species, endangered sea turtles and other struggling marine life  

WASHINGTON — After a year of handouts to oil and gas companies, the Trump administration is now considering a move for more special treatment – one that could cause the extinction of more than a half dozen endangered sea creatures, including the critically endangered Rice’s whale alongside sea turtles, rays, fish, and corals. 

In a public notice published today, the U.S. Department of Interior announced a meeting of the Endangered Species Extinction Committee, also known as the “God Squad,” on March 31 “regarding an exemption under the Endangered Species Act with respect to oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities” in the Gulf of Mexico. The meeting will be made public through a livestream link but does not currently appear to have any way to allow for public participation or comment, despite clear legal requirements.  

“Invoking the God Squad to expand drilling in the Gulf of Mexico may seem penny wise to Trump and his billionaire bunch, but there is little doubt that it will prove to be pounds foolish in the long run,” said Hallie Templeton, Legal Director for Friends of the Earth U.S. “The solution to our country’s perceived ‘fuel crunch’ lies not in loopholes allowing Big Oil to further destroy and extract, but rather in stopping unnecessary war and leading America into a clean energy future. Friends of the Earth is not alone when it says: We are watching closely and will take all available means to ensure that federal laws and mandates are followed to the fullest extent.”  

The Endangered Species Committee, nicknamed the “God Squad” because it controls the life and death of imperiled species, is rarely called to meeting. Members last granted an exemption in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush to allow timber sales despite the presence of the endangered Northern Spotted Owl. The exemption was later withdrawn after resulting legal action. 

To be clear: The Trump administration is considering circumventing the Endangered Species Act to drill for oil and gas in an area filled with endangered species.  

To be very clear: Friends of the Earth U.S. condemns this move as cruel, senseless, unnecessary, contrary to the public interest, and as it stands, unlawful. It will kill the very sea creatures this country has worked so hard to save, while serving only to make the rich even richer.  

There are a number of complex, legally required procedures that must be fulfilled before the God Squad can legally grant an ESA exemption, including preparation of a technical report that explores alternative actions and the public interest. The members of the Endangered Species Committee include: the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Army, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The president also appoints one person from each affected state. 

The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 and can be streamed via the U.S. Department of Interior’s YouTube page.  

Communications contact: Lindsay Tice, [email protected]