Democrats urge Trump administration to rethink Endangered Species Act rollback

Florida Democrats are urging Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to withdraw a Trump administration rule that removes habitat modification from the definition of 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act. The change, set to take effect on Sept. 14, is criticized for weakening protections for species like the Florida manatee and panther, which the ESA has historically helped conserve.