Trump to Host Hunters, Anglers at White House, Sign Orders Expanding Access

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to host over 100 hunters, anglers, and outdoor industry leaders for a White House dinner on Thursday, where he is expected to sign executive orders designed to expand hunting and fishing access on public lands and waterways. The orders will also aim to reverse certain restrictions implemented during the Biden administration.

Trump is set to deliver remarks to the assembled sportsmen and industry representatives in the Rose Garden. His administration's initiative seeks to open more public lands and waterways, reduce regulatory hurdles, and encourage participation in hunting among younger Americans and veterans.

The executive orders, slated for signing in the Oval Office, focus on expanding "America’s public lands and waterways," promoting healthy wild game populations, and increasing access to offshore recreational fishing, according to a White House official.

Representatives from prominent organizations and companies such as Bass Pro Shops, the National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Yamaha Marine Group, and Safari Club International are expected to attend the event. The outdoor recreation sector in America generates over $1.2 trillion annually and supports more than 5 million jobs.

Officials expected to be present include Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Commerce Department, and NOAA.

A key provision within the new directives targets Biden-era restrictions on the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had previously implemented station-specific requirements for lead-free ammunition and/or tackle at several national wildlife refuges.

Trump's fishing order also aims to open more of the nation's coastal waters to recreational fishing, reduce federal red tape, and give anglers a greater voice in fisheries management. Proposed changes include moving charter operators toward multi-year permits, replacing mail-in catch surveys with mobile reporting, launching programs for depleted fish stocks like Atlantic striped bass, and utilizing offshore oil and gas platforms to create artificial reefs.

Earlier in the day, Trump attended the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Library, where he spoke about the nation's "indomitable spirit" and declared America to be the "hottest country anywhere in the world" that is respected globally. He drew parallels to Theodore Roosevelt's passion for America, advocating for a renewed sense of national confidence.