What to know about Trump's order shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah
- Posted on July 14, 2026
- By Business News Today
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- 1 min read
In brief
President Trump has signed an executive order reducing the protected boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in Utah, reversing Biden-era conservation decisions. Under the Antiquities Act, sitting presidents possess broad authority to modify or shrink federally designated monument lands. This controversial move reignites the longstanding debate over public land stewardship, resource extraction rights, and environmental conservation versus economic development interests in the American West.
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What to know about Trump's order shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah
US President Trump reduced Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. These actions reversed prior proclamations made by President Biden. The Antiquities Act allows presidents to create and reshape protected federal lands. Previous presidents have also diminished national monument boundaries over time. This ongoing debate highlights public land management challenges and differing viewpoints.
