Bernie slams Trump during surprise speech at Dakota Access Pipeline protest

#NoDAPL says Bernie.
 By 
Sasha Lekach
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Sen. Bernie Sanders joined a rally in front of the White House on Tuesday night to speak out against the Dakota Access Pipeline project and he had a message for the new president-elect.

Sanders said Donald Trump "wants this country to become more dependent on fossil fuels."

"What we have to tell Mr. Trump and everybody else: We are not going silently into the night," he said. "The stakes are too high for the future of this planet."


You May Also Like

As part of an unannounced stop at the rally that started earlier in the day at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office, Sanders spoke in front of the crowd and demanded the crude oil pipeline not be built.

Part of the 1,170-mile pipeline would cross the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota, where indigenous people, environmentalists and activists say the pipeline will cross through sacred land and endanger the water supply.

Sanders mentioned the hundreds of pipeline protests that took place around the world Tuesday. He also spoke about climate change, alternative energy options and President-elect Donald Trump's crippling plans for the environment.

Actress Shailene Woodley, who was arrested earlier this year at Standing Rock, livestreamed the demonstration in front of the White House, including Bernie's appearance and impromptu speech.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently called for more time to review pipeline construction plans near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe lands, meaning a delay in construction and a temporary and small win for protesters.

Mashable Image
Sasha Lekach

Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Bad Bunny slams ICE during Grammys speech
A man stands on a stage holding a trophy, speaking into the microphone.

Jimmy Kimmel gives Trump a special thanks during Critics Choice Awards speech
A man in a tux stands on an awards show stage in front of the microphone, while two women laugh in the background.

Billie Eilish says 'f*** ICE' during Grammys speech
Finneas and Billie Eilish accept the Song of the Year award at the Grammys.


Seth Meyers reluctantly takes 'A Closer Look' at Trump's Davos speech
Seth Meyers stares at the ceiling while presenting "Late Night" beside an image of Donald Trump.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!