President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to assess whether gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves have recovered sufficiently to be removed from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which protects them from harm or killing. The order gives Interior Secretary Doug Burgum three months to evaluate whether these wolves are no longer in need of federal protection. This comes as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Interior Department, has previously attempted to remove protections for gray wolves, but that decision is currently being challenged in court. A 2022 federal court ruling left most gray wolves in the lower 48 states still protected under the ESA, except in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, where states manage the species. In Minnesota, gray wolves are classified as "threatened" rather than "endangered." The Mexican gray wolf, a rare subspecies reintroduced to New Mexico and Arizona in 1998, faces different criteria for de-listing. Its recovery plan requires an average population of more than 320 wolves over four consecutive years before federal authorities consider removing ESA protections. At the end of 2025, Arizona and New Mexico counted a total of 319 Mexican gray wolves, marking the first year in which officials can begin the process of evaluating de-listing. However, these wolves also face challenges, including limited genetic diversity, which environmental advocates warn could threaten their long-term survival. Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity said that any premature de-listing could lead to legal challenges and emphasized the need for science and data to guide such decisions. Trump’s order also urges federal agencies to encourage states to remove protections for gray wolves and ease local restrictions on killing them. This move has drawn criticism from environmental groups, who argue that it undermines the Endangered Species Act and attempts to prioritize industry interests over conservation. Leia Barnett of WildEarth Guardians said the administration is trying to bypass the legal framework meant to keep species recovery decisions free from political influence. “This is not just bad policy—it’s an attempt to override the checks and balances built into our environmental laws,” she said. Gray wolves have a complicated history in the U.S., having been systematically trapped and killed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which nearly wiped them out from the contiguous states. Ranchers, who often view wolves as threats to livestock and profits, have long supported efforts to reduce their numbers. Trump’s order is part of a broader push to support ranchers and the beef industry. During the signing ceremony, Trump asked an Arizona rancher if wolves could now be shot, prompting a brief exchange. While the ESA still protects most wolves, the president reiterated his support for measures that would make it easier to kill them in certain cases, despite ongoing legal protections.