President Donald Trump cuts Utah's Grand Staircase‑Escalante and Bears Ears monuments

On Monday President Donald Trump signed proclamations dramatically reducing the size of two Utah national monuments. Grand Staircase‑Escalante was cut from about 1.87 million acres to roughly 181,500 acres, and Bears Ears from about 1.36 million acres to around 121,100 acres. The changes reverse the 2021 restoration by President Joe Biden and follow earlier 2017 reductions. The lands remain federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The White House said the revised boundaries "continue protecting significant historic, cultural and scientific resources while allowing surrounding lands to return to multiple‑use management." Tribal leaders, conservation groups and other opponents plan to challenge the proclamations in federal court, arguing the cuts threaten cultural sites, wildlife habitat and recreation. Immediate on‑the‑ground conditions such as roads and trailheads are expected to remain unchanged, but future management actions could be affected.