Native Tribe Could Lose Its Land Under New Trump Administration Guidelines

WASHINGTON (CN) — Taking up whether the Trump administration can revoke reservation status for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe that welcomed the pilgrims in 1620, a federal judge lashed out Wednesday over what he said was the most poorly written government document he had ever read.

The legal battle stems from claims by the Mashpee Wampanoag that the Department of the Interior overlooked key evidence when it ordered the tribe’s 321 acres be taken out of trust, an action that could mean the loss of land and associated tax benefits.

The tribe struck a deal with the city of Taunton to build a $1 billion casino, only to face a lawsuit from nearby residents who opposed the plan.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the Interior Department memo released March 5 that reversed the government’s acquisition of land in trust for certain tribes was one of the worst written documents he has read, with grammar and spelling errors throughout.

“And you can tell your client that. It’s a joke,” Friedman told the government after it refused during the teleconference hearing to commit to reconsider the tribe’s status retroactively under recently rescinded guidance.

https://www.courthousenews.com/native-tribe-could-lose-reservation-land-under-new-trump-administration-guideline/