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After announcing his intent to nominate William Perry Pendley for Bureau of Land Management Director last Friday, President Trump officially nominated Pendley for the position late Tuesday. Already, senators who will vote on whether or not to confirm him are criticizing his record, from his belief that the government should sell off public lands to a 2017 statement that the Black Lives Matter movement is based on a lie. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, stated, "At this moment in our nation's history, the Bureau of Land Management and every agency need leaders who are willing to listen and lead with compassion. Mr. Pendley's comments about the Black Lives Matter movement make it clear he is not fit to do so."
Senator Manchin joins many other senators in opposing William Perry Pendley's involvement in the Bureau of Land Management over the past year. Last September, a group of senators wrote a letter calling on Interior Secretary Bernhardt to rescind Pendley's position, citing his views on selling off public land and abolishing key environmental legislation such as the Endangered Species Act. In addition, Pendley has ridiculed Native American religious beliefs regarding sacred land. In summary Manchin stated, "His past comments calling the Endangered Species Act 'a joke,' comparing global warming to the existence of unicorns and arguing the federal government should sell off its public lands are disqualifying."
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While cities and communities across the United States are canceling their Fourth of July celebrations to adhere to social distancing guidelines and protect their citizens, Trump and Noem are actively encouraging people to gather together, all in service of an event which poses clear risks to both visitors and the environment.”
