Biden at the Grand Canyon: 'One of the Earth's Nine Wonders—Wonders of the World, Literally' (August 8, 2023)

President Joe Biden came to the Grand Canyon to declare nearly 1 million acres a national monument, and he got the world’s wonders wrong. “The Grand Canyon, one of the Earth’s nine wonders—wonders of the world, literally. Think of that,” Biden said at Red Butte Airfield in Tusayan, Arizona, on Aug. 8, 2023, according to the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

Arizona’s Democratic governor had the usual number. “Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Tuesday that ‘the Grand Canyon is known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but we know it for so much more,’” The Associated Press reported. “In his own remarks, Biden mistakenly referred to the nine wonders of the world, but corrected himself.” [3]

The video above shows Biden’s arrival and remarks on Aug. 8, 2023. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project, The Associated Press and the Federal Register [1][2][3][4].

”Sometimes I Say All That I Mean”

Biden opened with a seating joke. “Please have a seat if you have one. If you don’t have one, you can sit down anyway if you want. [ Laughter ]” he said [1].

Then he offered a line about himself. “And I say this with all sincerity—no one ever doubts that I mean what I say; sometimes I say all that I mean though—[ laughter ]” Biden said [1].

He called the canyon “God’s cathedral.” “As I stood there and looked out, a phrase came to mind. It was instinctive. I said this must be—this is God’s cathedral,” he said [1].

”Nearly 1 Million Acres”

The point of the trip was a new national monument, Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon. The White House said it “will conserve nearly 1 million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park,” marking “the fifth new national monument established by President Biden.” [2]

Biden pitched it as good for business. “And by creating this monument, we’re setting aside new spaces for families to hike, bike, hunt, fish, and camp, growing the tourism economy that already accounts for 11 percent of all Arizona jobs,” he said [1].

”The Richest and Highest-Grade Uranium Deposits”

Republicans saw it differently. “Republican lawmakers and the uranium mining industry that operates in the area had opposed the designation, touting the economic benefits for the region while arguing that the mining efforts are a matter of national security,” AP reported [3].

House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., wrote to Biden that the designation “would permanently withdraw the richest and highest-grade uranium deposits in the United States from mining—deposits that are far outside the Grand Canyon National Park.” [3]

A local official put it plainly. “We need uranium for the security of our country,” said Buster Johnson, a Mohave County supervisor. “We’re out of the game.” [3]

The White House said “existing mining claims – predating a 20-year mineral withdraw initiated in 2012 – will remain in place, and the two approved mining operations within the boundaries of the monument would be able to operate.” [2]

“30 Percent … by 2030”

Biden tied the monument to a bigger goal. “My first week as President, I signed an Executive order establishing our country’s most ambitious conservation goal ever. I made a commitment that we will protect 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters—conserve all—30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030,” he said [1].

He listed his record: “9 million acres in Alaska, in Bristol Bay and the Tongass Forest; 225,000 acres in Minnesota, the Boundary Waters.” [1]

Opponents raised other costs. “Other opponents of establishing a monument have argued it won’t help combat a lingering drought and could prevent thinning of forests and stop hunters from keeping wildlife populations in check,” AP reported. “Ranchers in Utah near the Arizona border say the monument designation would strip them of privately owned land.” [3]

“Make America Great Again”

Biden also took a swipe at his opponents. He “criticized adherents of former President Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ movement for opposing efforts to promote green energy and expand federal environmental protections,” AP reported [3].

By the Numbers

9: wonders of the world, per Biden [1].
7: natural wonders, per Gov. Katie Hobbs [3].
Nearly 1 million: acres in the new monument [2].
11%: the share of Arizona jobs Biden credited to tourism [1].
1.3%: the share of the nation’s known uranium reserves inside the monument, per AP [3].

What Happened Next

Trump called uranium energy. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency. His order says America’s energy supply is “far too inadequate to meet our Nation’s needs,” blaming “the harmful and shortsighted policies of the previous administration.” [4]

The order’s definition of “energy” includes “crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals.” [4]

For Biden’s next stop, at a wind tower plant in New Mexico, see HYGO News’ page on Aug. 9, 2023. For his Milwaukee speech a week later, see the page on Aug. 15, 2023.