In its rush to squeeze through as much as possible before President Obama leaves office, the White House found itself facing backlash and mockery over posting an incorrect photo.
The White House announced two new controversial national monuments on Wednesday: Bears Ears in Utah and Gold Butte in Nevada.
BREAKING: @POTUS designates two new national monuments—protecting over a million acres in Utah and Nevada: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/C2aEbrq7G0
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
“Today’s actions will help protect this cultural legacy” —@POTUS on designating two new national monuments: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/OwFVTVSKT6
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
Besides the unpopularity of the monument designations and Republican opposition, the White House also faced a torrent of criticism for using the wrong location in its photo.
@WhiteHouse @POTUS I may be mistaken, but isn’t that Arches National Park in the picture?
— Patrick J Grijalva (@unbornphoenix) December 29, 2016
@unbornphoenix @WhiteHouse @POTUS these ppl are so ignorant
— ?Jae (@PNWJae) December 29, 2016
@WhiteHouse @POTUS hey moron, that photo is NOT Bears ears. Not even close to #Breasears.
— gab.ai/SurvivorMed (@SurvivorMed) December 29, 2016
@WhiteHouse @POTUS Hey idiots, that picture isn’t even in the area you are “protecting”.
— Wayne Bake (@metaellihead) December 29, 2016
Republican lawmakers also slammed the White House for its geographic ignorance.
Classic. @WhiteHouse pic is Arches not monuments. Couldn’t find a pic of Bears Ears & doesn’t even know where it is. #WorstPresidentEver https://t.co/odaZQoQP4B
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) December 29, 2016
If you’re going to take 1.3M acres of Utah land, at least use the right photo. This is Arches not #BearsEars. #utpol https://t.co/F6iIKEsegE
— Senator Hatch Office (@SenOrrinHatch) December 29, 2016
Area pictured: the Three Gossips, in Arches. Not at all a part of the proposed #BearsEars monument. #utpol https://t.co/F6iIKEsegE
— Senator Hatch Office (@SenOrrinHatch) December 29, 2016
And while a correct photo eventually was posted, though not by the Obama administration, disapproval of the president’s action was widespread.
Obama names Utah, Nevada monuments despite GOP opposition https://t.co/xrZXjUZcw0 pic.twitter.com/WzGeDCgyFV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 29, 2016
@WhiteHouse @POTUS You enacted Bears Ears over many, many objections seriously damaging your legacy and the Democratic efforts.
— Bruce (@Stemic09) December 28, 2016
People living in the areas affected by the federal designation were not too thrilled with Obama’s self-congratulatory tone and total disregard for the voice of the people in those states.
.@POTUS has protected more land & water than any other president in history. Today’s actions build on that progress: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/KtAfaftz30
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
@WhiteHouse @POTUS By “protected” you mean “confiscated” with a big ol’ middle finger for each state and the 10th amendment, right?
— (((R. Silverman))) (@NHJeffersonian) December 29, 2016
Gold Butte & Bears Ears National Monuments protect some of our nation’s most precious natural & cultural resources: https://t.co/XCam0s1OIn pic.twitter.com/fuOQ3noLRn
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2016
Utah’s Rep. Jason Chaffetz was “outraged” by the decision.
Chaffetz Outraged by Obama Decision to Impose Unwanted Midnight Monument in Utah | U.S. House of Representatives https://t.co/HxIytgxhyV
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) December 28, 2016
“President Obama’s unilateral decision to invoke the Antiquities Act in Utah politicizes a long-simmering conflict. This unfortunate act threatens to further inflame controversies that were near resolution,” Chaffetz said in a statement released Wednesday.
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“The midnight move is a slap in the face to the people of Utah, attempting to silence the voices of those who will bear the heavy burden it imposes,” the Republican congressman continued. “Furthermore, the decision is a major break with protocol previously followed by this administration. It does not have the support of the Governor, a single member of the state’s Congressional delegation, nor any local elected officials or state legislators who represent the area.”
@jasoninthehouse Obama is screwing everyone he can on his way out the door. Worst. President. Ever.
— Texas Scott Lee (@TexasScottLee) December 28, 2016
.@jasoninthehouse Ø inflicting maximum damage before he leaves#ObamaLegacy
— s dev (@alcamus) December 28, 2016
@jasoninthehouse As an outdoor adventure guide in this area, I will do everything in my power to help support overturning this designation.
— Christopher Hagedorn (@CJHagedorn) December 28, 2016
The Bears Ears National Monument in Utah will cover 1.35 million acres and, while a victory for Native American tribes and conservationists, is being condemned by GOP leaders and many area residents who decried another level of federal control.
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah vowed to “undo” the designation.
I will work tirelessly with Congress & incoming Trump administration to honor the will of Utahns and undo this monument designation. #utpol
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 28, 2016
The 300,000-acre Gold Butte National Monument outside of Las Vegas is near the location of the 2014 standoff between rancher Cliven Bundy and government agents.
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