Chaffetz Uses Meeting With Trump To Promote Disposal Of Public Lands

"Trump made it clear there would be 'no oversight talk.'"

"Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), met with President Donald Trump for the first time Tuesday and instead of asking the president to release his tax returns or address his glaring conflicts of interest, Chaffetz asked that the White House defy existing law to undo protections for a national monument in Utah.

After the meeting, Chaffetz told reporters that Trump made it clear there would be “no oversight talk” during their conversation. Although Democrats on the committee have called for an investigation into Trump’s business dealings, Chaffetz instead took the opportunity to bring up his opposition to the Bears Ears national monument in Utah “as subject number one.”

The 1.35 million-acre national monument was designated by President Barack Obama in December after a Native American inter-tribal coalition expressed support for its creation. The area is one of the most historically and culturally rich sites in the country, with more than 100,000 cultural and archaeological sites throughout. It has also been one of the most vulnerable places for grave robbing and looting."

Jenny Rowland reports for Think Progress February 8, 2017.