Trump's Justice Department argues presidents can revoke national monuments, aiming to open protected lands for energy production.

The Justice Department under Trump's administration claims that presidents can abolish national monuments created by previous administrations under the Antiquities Act, reversing a 1938 ruling. This legal opinion targets monuments designated by Biden just before leaving office, including Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in California. The move is part of Trump's push to expand energy production, allowing for increased mining and drilling on protected lands. Critics argue this undermines conservation efforts and threatens cultural sites.