John,
The most extreme, anti-conservation Republicans in Congress just launched a sham investigation into the Center for Biological Diversity. Why? Because we’ve been an outspoken — and successful — force against a massive foreign-owned mine that threatens the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
This “investigation” by Reps. Pete Stauber and Paul Gosar is an alarming abuse of power and doesn’t name a single unlawful act — because the Center hasn’t committed one. The representatives claim to be seeking evidence of “collusion” between us and the Biden administration to reintroduce a ban on mining within the same watershed as the Boundary Waters.
The corruption that should be investigated is that of Twin Metals and its Chilean parent company, Antofagasta plc.
Twin Metals launched a multimillion-dollar lobby campaign to overturn the protection of the Boundary Waters, one of America’s most beloved wilderness areas and home to endangered gray wolves, Canada lynx, and northern long-eared bats. The Chilean owner of Twin Metals bought a $5.5 million mansion in Washington, D.C., as soon as President Donald Trump was elected and arranged to rent it to Ivanka Trump before the purchase was even finished. Meanwhile the companies’ executives donated money to the very same two members of Congress who launched this fraudulent investigation, both leaders of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
This bogus attack proves that our work matters. And we’re hitting a nerve.
The Center’s executive director has offered to help the whole House committee investigate the real scandal — Twin Metals’ ties to Trump bureaucrats and family members, as well as its congressional donations — by publicly testifying before it.
But the committee won’t turn from its bogus, weaponized intimidation attempt to an investigation of the real problem without hearing from you.
Tell the House Natural Resources Committee to investigate the suspiciously close ties between Twin Metals, the Trump administration, the Trump family, and members of the House Committee itself.
