Trump asks ranchers how they like "letting you do that" to defend herds as wolf protections lift

On Friday, President Trump directed federal wildlife officials to begin lifting the legal protections that have kept gray wolves classified as endangered, a step Western ranchers and Republican lawmakers have long requested because they contend the animals have recovered and now threaten livestock. At an Oval Office event with ranchers who described wolf attacks on their herds, Trump said previous rules prevented them from defending their property and asked whether they liked that he was now allowing that defense. The order instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to propose ending or reducing protections for gray and Mexican wolves and gives states, ranchers, and hunters more freedom to kill the animals. Animal-protection groups quickly criticized the move, warning it could reverse years of recovery and lead to widespread killing. Courts have overturned past delisting attempts, and the Senate is weighing House-passed wolf legislation.