Animal Welfare Priority by Trump Administration
- Rex Ballard
- Dec 21, 2025
- 4 min read
As President Donald Trump's second term gains momentum, animal welfare has emerged as a surprising priority, blending bipartisan legislative wins with high-profile policy shifts aimed at curbing federal cruelty. From defunding painful military experiments on dogs and cats to launching a multi-agency strike force against abuse, the administration is touting "historic" progress. In spite of these historic gains, environmental groups decry Administration moves that weaken endangered species protections. This article will attempt to provide a balance yet comprehensive overview of the issues and draws on recent announcements, signed laws, and expert analyses to examine the state of animal welfare under Trump 2.0.
Legislative Milestones: Ending Taxpayer-Funded Cruelty in Defense and Beyond
Trump's track record on animal protections dates back to his first term, but recent actions have accelerated the pace. In 2019, he signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, making severe acts like crushing or burning animals a federal felony for the first time and bolstering interstate prosecutions. This foundation has expanded in 2025, with a focus on eliminating unnecessary federal animal testing.
A landmark achievement came on December 19, 2025, when Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), fully defunding the Department of Defense's (DOD) experiments on dogs and cats—marking the first such ban in U.S. history. The provision ends brutal practices like toxicity testing and wound simulations, previously costing taxpayers $57 million despite ethical concerns. Advocates like White Coat Waste Project, which led the campaign, hailed it as a "huge legislative victory" saving lives and funds.
The NDAA also prohibits live animals in military live-fire trauma training effective 2026, replacing pigs and goats—often shot or stabbed—with advanced human simulators. Earlier in the year, the Navy independently ended all dog and cat research under administration guidance.
These moves build on Trump's first-term efforts, including cutting Veterans Affairs animal testing and elevating cruelty to a felony. Influential voices like Laura Loomer and Lara Trump have amplified the cause, crediting bipartisan coalitions including Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
HHS-Led Reforms: Shifting Toward Human-Centric Research
At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is driving a "shift to prioritize animal welfare," emphasizing alternatives to testing. Under the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, HHS is reducing unnecessary requirements, retiring lab animals to sanctuaries, and favoring human-based methods like organ-on-a-chip technology.
Key wins include the CDC's closure of taxpayer-funded primate labs, the NIH's October 2025 policy ending exclusive animal-study funding, and the EPA's revived plan to phase out animal testing by 2035—with a 30% reduction already achieved or exceeded. Kennedy has framed these as ethical and scientific imperatives, noting, "We're prioritizing the retirement of lab animals to sanctuaries and homes."
The Animal Welfare Roundtable: A Symbolic and Strategic Gathering
On December 18, 2025, the administration convened a high-profile Animal Welfare Roundtable at the Department of Justice, uniting HHS, USDA, and DOJ leaders to announce "policy wins." Participants included Kennedy, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Lara Trump, who posed with rescue puppies to underscore commitment. Notably absent was Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, amid scrutiny over her past actions.
Key Policy Announcements and Wins Highlighted
During the roundtable, officials announced several "policy wins" aimed at combating animal cruelty through interagency coordination between the DOJ, USDA, and HHS:
Launch of a Multi-Agency Strike Force: A new initiative to crack down on dog fighting, puppy mills, and unnecessary animal testing. This includes training DOJ prosecutors to handle dog fighting cases more effectively, execute search warrants, and pursue high-profile seizures. For instance, officials cited the recent seizure of 190 dogs from former NFL player LeShon Johnson as an example of aggressive enforcement, emphasizing that "no one is above the law."
USDA Enforcement Enhancements: Secretary Rollins outlined plans to strengthen USDA oversight, advance coordinated federal actions against abuse, and host a holiday pet adoption event to promote rescue efforts.
HHS Focus on Reducing Animal Testing: Aligning with Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda, HHS is prioritizing human-based research alternatives over animal models. This builds on recent moves like the CDC's complete shutdown of taxpayer-funded primate labs (imprisoning and experimenting on hundreds of monkeys) and the NIH's policy shift effective October 1, 2025, to no longer solicit funding exclusively for animal-based studies.
The EPA has also revived a plan to phase out animal testing by 2035, with a 30% reduction target by 2025 already met or exceeded.Highlights included launching a multi-agency strike force to combat dog fighting, puppy mills, and excessive testing, with DOJ training for prosecutors and high-profile seizures (e.g., 190 dogs from ex-NFL player LeShon Johnson). USDA plans feature enhanced oversight and holiday adoption events.
Controversies and Criticisms: Undermining Protections?
Despite these advances, the administration faces backlash for proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In November 2025, plans emerged to eliminate the "blanket rule" protecting threatened species automatically, potentially harming hundreds of animals like grizzly bears and wolves. The Sierra Club called it an attempt to "undermine one of America's bedrock environmental laws." Administration officials frame these changes as restoring the ESA to its "original intent," promoting "clear, consistent, and lawful" protections while reducing regulatory burdens. Critics, including the Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity, argue the reforms could harm species like monarch butterflies, sea turtles, and marine life by limiting habitat safeguards and easing de-listings.
On December 19, the House passed H.R. 845, removing federal ESA protections for gray wolves in the lower 48 states—a move critics say could lead to unchecked hunting. Additionally, the DOJ's lawsuit against California's Proposition 12, which enhances farm animal conditions, and early 2025 funding freezes have raised fears of weakened enforcement.
Looking Ahead: A Balanced Legacy?
Trump's animal welfare agenda represents substantive steps forward, particularly in military and health sectors, saving taxpayer dollars and animal lives. Administration critics argue that environmental rollbacks risk offsetting gains, prompting calls for vigilance. As Kennedy noted at the roundtable, this is part of a broader effort to "build on previous actions." With more reforms potentially on the horizon, the administration's legacy will hinge on balancing protection with policy priorities.