RantCrush Top 5: February 8, 2017

In a court filing yesterday, the U.S. Army said that it will grant the final permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline, and could do so as soon as today. The Army also said it canceled the environmental study that President Obama ordered during his last month in office. Construction of the pipeline could start as early as in June, despite fervent protests from Native American tribes, climate activists, and their allies. The Army said the final section of the disputed pipeline will be allowed to run under Lake Oahe, part of the Missouri River system. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has argued that the pipeline would desecrate its burial grounds and could potentially pollute the drinking water.

But Donald Trump has claimed that he hasn’t received a single phone call protesting the permit for the Dakota pipeline and said that it probably wasn’t that controversial. Protesters responded by pointing out that the comment line for the White House has been down and arguing that the president seems out of touch with reality.

Well in fairness, your people did shut down the White House comment line, so that might be the reason… https://t.co/92TL7S6wmZ https://t.co/C9h4KrSGga

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) February 8, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.