Each day, we the people are forced to endure something profoundly horrific being committed by Trump. And since Republicans' only concern is maintaining their grip on power, they could care less what damage their president does to their constituents. We've already seen scientific, environmental and social groups get slaughtered by Trump's desire to enrich himself and his Wall Street pals. Now it's Native American tribes' turn.
Trump began mobilizing to pursue the privatization of Indian lands in October of last year with the formation of his 27-member Native American Affairs Coalition, which is chaired by so-called Cherokee Rep. Markwayne Mullin. Much like the termination policy that took place more than 60 years ago, the Coalition feels impoverished tribes are overwhelmed by federal regulations that impede self-reliance and prosperity; therefore, all tribal lands should be privatized so that American Indians can pursue development projects that lift them out of poverty.
Sound energy policy begins with the recognition that we have vast untapped domestic energy reserves right here in America. The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans. We must take advantage of the estimated $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, especially those on federal lands that the American people own.
Making matters worse, Trump picked Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke for Secretary of the Interior, the very agency overseeing the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Zinke is notorious for being a deceptive conman; Scientific American rates Zinke as a “mixed bag” with his anti-environment, pro-industry voting record.
Trump has a very spotty past with Native American tribes. In 1993, Donald Trump testified before a House subcommittee that the mafia was running rampant on Native American gaming casinos, bickering with members of Congress about taxes, the FBI and whether certain tribes "look Indian."
Now we're seeing yet another example of Trump trampling on the rights of Native Americans.
