Obama: We’re examining options to ‘reroute’ ND pipeline

President Obama addressed the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy for the second time Tuesday, saying his administration is looking for ways to reroute the pipeline. 

{mosads}“We’re monitoring this closely, and you know I think that as a general rule my view is that there is a way for us to accommodate sacred lands of Native Americans,” Obama said in an interview with NowThis News, shared with MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” Tuesday. 

“I think that right now the Army Corps [of Engineers] is examining whether there are ways to reroute this pipeline.” 

Tensions in North Dakota are rising between police and pipeline protesters, who have been demonstrating for weeks. 

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe says the pipeline, which would cross the Missouri River upstream of the reservation, would contaminate drinking water and harm scared lands. 

“Were going to let it play out for several more weeks and then determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that I think is properly attentive to traditions of the first Americans,” Obama said.