Defenders of Wildlife Challenges Unprecedented “God Squad” Exemption Allowing Unchecked Gulf Oil Drilling mrajotte April 10, 2026 Sweeping Endangered Species Act waiver threatens wildlife, rule of law and public’s right to hold government accountable Washington D.C. April 14, 2026 Defenders of Wildlife today announced it is taking legal action to overturn an unprecedented and unlawful decision by the Endangered Species Committee, known as the “God Squad,” to exempt federal authorizations of oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico through a blanket exemption from the Endangered Species Act’s protections. Defenders has also challenged Defense Secretary Hegseth’s “National Security Findings” that led to the God Squad’s vote. “The brazen action taken by the God Squad to exempt federally authorized oil and gas activities in the Gulf from the Endangered Species Act is as unprecedented as it is illegal,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife.…