NJ Offshore Wind Farm 'Hopefully Dead And Gone,' Trump Says

NEW JERSEY — President Donald Trump is hopeful that the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind farm is "dead and gone" following his executive order that has temporarily halted leasing and permitting for wind farm projects in the country.

"Hopefully the project is dead and gone, as almost all unsightly and environmentally unsound Windmill project should be," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post thanking Rep. Jeff Van Drew for his fighting against the wind farm, which is set to be constructed between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island.

However, Atlantic Shores South already received federal approvals this past October. It's not yet clear how the executive order will impact the project and it is likely to be challenged in court. A company spokesperson declined to comment.

Still, Trump's order has been met with praise from wind opponents.

"The president has always been a vocal critic of these disastrous scams, and we are grateful for his unwavering support," Van Drew said in a statement. "This has been a long, hard-fought battle against powerful, foreign multinational corporations that have shown zero regard for our fishing industry, our environment, our whales, national security, or the American energy consumer."

Rep. Chris Smith, another vocal opponent of offshore wind, said that the executive order was "a victory for everyone along the New Jersey coast."

"President Trump's Executive Order will ensure new and proper reviews for projects expedited without real examination, such as Atlantic Shores South," Smith said. "With the new administration asking the questions the public has been demanding answers on for years, I expect the many holes and safety gaps in the offshore wind approval process to come to light."

Instead, Trump wants to "drill, baby, drill" and increase oil and gas drilling. His pick for interior secretary, Doug Burgum, said in his confirmation hearing that offshore wind leases that have been issued will continue if they make sense and are already in law.