WASHINGTON — September 5, 2026 — President Donald Trump has ordered the federal government to review whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have recovered enough to reduce or remove their protections under the Endangered Species Act.

The executive order, “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” directs the Interior Department to complete the review within 90 days. If officials determine the wolves meet federal recovery standards, the administration would begin the process of delisting or downlisting them.

The order also calls for greater state involvement in wolf management and directs federal agencies to consider changes to how livestock depredations are investigated and how ranchers are compensated for confirmed wolf kills.

The White House says the changes are intended to give ranchers more tools to protect livestock. The order does not immediately remove federal protections for wolves; any delisting would have to follow the requirements of federal law.

The review could have significant consequences for wolf management across the American West, where ranchers and wildlife advocates have long disagreed over the appropriate balance between livestock protection and wolf conservation.

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