Tribal nations and environmental groups, who filed separate lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald Trump’s actions, are expected to oppose the motion.
A request to change venues is usually aimed at finding a more sympathetic court or jury, and Utah might be a more favorable jurisdiction for the executive order shrinking the monuments — at least judging by the views of voters.
About 51 percent of registered voters surveyed said they support Trump’s proclamation to toss out the larger Bears Ears monument in favor of two smaller designations, while 43 percent opposed the action.