Americans are struggling, more than ever, to afford to gas up their vehicles and equipment, and President Joe Biden just made it abundantly clear that he doesn't care, at all.

According to Breitbart, the Biden administration, through the Department of the Interior, announced this week that it will cancel crucial Alaska-based oil and gas leases issued by Trump toward then end of his term in the White House.

The president cited his reasons for doing so were due to "climate crisis" concerns.

"As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages," a statement from the president read.

What's happening?

The president and his administration want to protect "19.6 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)" for animal species such as caribou and polar bears.

That's the same area of Alaska that contains enough oil to keep the United States energy independent, which, for the sake of survival, seems to be a much higher priority than the boogieman "climate change crisis."

Breitbart noted:

Trump issued the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) seven leases right before Biden’s inauguration. The move is part of a larger strategy by which Biden has moved to cancel oil and gas exploration on public lands.

The announcement drew intense criticism from all levels of Congress.

The cancellation of lawful ANWR leases will negatively impact Alaska & America.

But it also reveals the hollowness of the Biden admin's commitment to “racial equity” & consultation as they ignore Alaska's indigenous communities who overwhelmingly support responsible development. pic.twitter.com/PIsSYG8CEg

— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) September 7, 2023

Several Alaska Republicans issued scathing statements in the wake of the cancellation announcement, and some energy groups vowed to immediately fight back using legal means.

Intense blowback

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, issued by Trump just days before Biden was inaugurated, issued a statement in response to the devastating news.

"This latest action by the Department of the Interior shows arbitrary disregard for Federal law, based on campaign trail rhetoric. Campaign promises are not enough to justify this agency action," the statement read.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) echoed the statement, writing, "There is palpable anger and frustration among Alaskans about the Biden administration’s unrelenting assault on our economy and our ability to lawfully access our lands."

It's pathetic and pitiful that Biden continues to bow to a small group of radical, anti-fossil fuel liberal groups, especially at a time when American energy independence is crucial for the country's survival.