Trump doesn’t care about at- risk animals

LETTERS LETTERS@ USATODAY. COM

President Donald Trump’s administration has decided to bulldoze the Endangered Species Act signed into law by former President Richard Nixon in 1973. After helping to save the blue whale, the California condor, the red wolf and numerous other animals and plants from extinction, the administration has decided, in the face of increasing pressure on declining species, to allow oil and mining companies not to worry about endangered species.

Development with less concern for the future of Earth’s diversity is a gift to industry. The United Nations reports that almost 1 million animals and plants face extinction. Meanwhile, Trump apparently has no problem with speeding up this process by rewarding his corporate friends and donors.

Trump denies climate change, so I’m not surprised that he isn’t concerned about the animals and plants, either. Tom Minnerick

Elgin, Ill.

FACEBOOK USA TODAY OPINION

Did millions of people beg for fewer restrictions? No. People with millions begged for fewer restrictions.

Bryan Gooden

A species can be listed as “threatened,” under the Endangered Species Act, for broad reasons. Details matter! John Culbertson

Every dollar the federal government spends has an opportunity cost.

Ward W. Morris

If Trump were really a “great” president, he would take a cue from former President Theodore Roosevelt, who carved out distinctions of national forest and land protections.

Michael Anthony Shea

Too much federal money is being spent to protect animals that aren’t very endangered.

Norton R. Nowlin