sierraclub

Created by Congress in 1978, the Endangered Species Committee (AKA “God Squad”) is a body with the power to approve projects – even if the action would lead to the eventual elimination of a specific wildlife species. The committee is commonly referred to as the "God Squad" because it has the power to decide if an imperiled species that is protected by the Endangered Species Act should live or die. In essence, it has the ability to “play god” with wildlife already on the brink of extinction.

In a recent legal filing, it became clear that the committee was convened solely by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. According to the filing, this action was invoked due to national security concerns in the effort to justify the move to seek an exemption for all oil and gas exploration and drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act.

Other news reports say that no industry asked them to do this so it's just a red meat thing for the base.