Conn Carroll, communications director for Utah Sen. Mike Lee, sent out word earlier Wednesday that the White House was planning a “surprise” announcement for 4 p.m. regarding the designation of another national monument.
https://twitter.com/conncarroll/status/814202307344814080
It turns out that Carroll was half-right: the White House announced not one but two new national monuments: Bears Ears in Utah and Gold Butte in Nevada.
BREAKING: @POTUS designates two new national monuments—protecting over a million acres in Utah and Nevada: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/C2aEbrq7G0
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
"Today’s actions will help protect this cultural legacy" —@POTUS on designating two new national monuments: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/OwFVTVSKT6
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
I may be mistaken, but isn't that Arches National Park in the picture?
— Patrick J Grijalva (@unbornphoenix) December 29, 2016
Oops …
Classic. @WhiteHouse pic is Arches not monuments. Couldn't find a pic of Bears Ears & doesn't even know where it is. #WorstPresidentEver https://t.co/odaZQoQP4B
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) December 29, 2016
If you're going to take 1.3M acres of Utah land, at least use the right photo. This is Arches not #BearsEars. #utpol https://t.co/F6iIKEsegE
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) December 29, 2016
hey moron, that photo is NOT Bears ears. Not even close to #Breasears.
— gab.ai/SurvivorMed (@SurvivorMed) December 29, 2016
Hey idiots, that picture isn't even in the area you are "protecting".
— Metaellihead ?? ❄️ ? (@metaellihead) December 29, 2016
Recommended
You enacted Bears Ears over many, many objections seriously damaging your legacy and the Democratic efforts.
— Bruce (@Stemic09) December 28, 2016
What’s this about “unwanted and unpopular”? People love national monuments, right? And whatever it is in that photo certainly looks pretty just as is.
While the president took credit for protecting even more land and water, though, the people who actually live in those states weren’t so impressed with the “midnight” declaration — the announcement might have come in the afternoon, but the Obama administration is quickly approaching its own midnight deadline to set the president’s legacy in stone.
.@POTUS has protected more land & water than any other president in history. Today's actions build on that progress: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/KtAfaftz30
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
Gold Butte & Bears Ears National Monuments protect some of our nation’s most precious natural & cultural resources: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/fuOQ3noLRn
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
Utah’s Rep. Jason Chaffetz said in a statement he was outraged over the designation as well as with the White House’s geography skills.
Chaffetz Outraged by Obama Decision to Impose Unwanted Midnight Monument in Utah | U.S. House of Representatives https://t.co/HxIytgxhyV
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) December 28, 2016
Chaffetz wrote, in part:
President Obama’s unilateral decision to invoke the Antiquities Act in Utah politicizes a long-simmering conflict. This unfortunate act threatens to further inflame controversies that were near resolution. The midnight move is a slap in the face to the people of Utah, attempting to silence the voices of those who will bear the heavy burden it imposes. Furthermore, the decision is a major break with protocol previously followed by this administration. It does not have the support of the Governor, a single member of the state’s Congressional delegation, nor any local elected officials or state legislators who represent the area.
What’s that? President Obama made a unilateral decision without the support of those representing the people who will be affected, and then took a victory lap? That’s not like him at all.
As an outdoor adventure guide in this area, I will do everything in my power to help support overturning this designation.
— Christopher Hagedorn (@CJHagedorn) December 28, 2016
.@jasoninthehouse Ø inflicting maximum damage before he leaves#ObamaLegacy
— s dev (@alcamus) December 28, 2016
This is his SCORCHED EARTH exit strategy.
— ❌ Tom Southard ❌ (@Tfoolary) December 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/TexasScottLee/status/814233910586404864
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