On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at modifying federal protections for gray wolves. The directive instructs the Department of the Interior to evaluate whether the current endangered-species status of the gray wolf remains appropriate. Central to the administration's stated rationale is the goal of reducing livestock depletion, which officials argue contributes to higher domestic beef prices.

In addition to the review of federal status, the order mandates that the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture establish protocols allowing ranchers to lethally remove wolves that pose a direct threat to their herds. This move represents a shift in federal wildlife management policy, prioritizing the economic interests of the agricultural sector. While the administration frames this as a necessary step to support ranchers and lower food costs, the policy is expected to face scrutiny from environmental groups concerned about the long-term impact on wolf populations. The order effectively grants ranchers greater autonomy in managing predators on or near their property, provided they meet the criteria set forth by the newly directed federal guidelines.