This is real — the Trump administration's Endangered Species Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) to exempt Gulf of Mexico drilling from Endangered Species Act protections. The move is major: the committee met for the first time in more than 30 years. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited national security grounds, though no permits have been denied or development plans rejected due to the law. There are fewer than 100 Rice's whales remaining, and environmental groups say the exemption threatens their extinction. The posting is straightforward news reporting with strong corroboration from Reuters and major outlets.