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Trump hosts hunters, anglers and outdoor industry leaders to celebrate America’s conservation heritage, roll back restrictions on public outdoor recreation
Confirmed
In Short: President Trump signed executive orders to open federal lands and waters for expanded hunting and fishing, reversing Biden-era restrictions.
President Trump hosted a celebratory dinner at the White House Rose Garden, welcoming over 100 prominent hunters, anglers, and outdoor industry leaders to celebrate America’s conservation heritage and roll back federal restrictions on public outdoor recreation.
The dinner was paired with executive action, as Trump signed two orders aimed at opening federal public lands and offshore waters to expanded hunting and recreational fishing access. One order targets the reversal of Biden-era environmental restrictions, including phased-in bans on traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle.
The gathering included executives and advocates from major brands and conservation organizations such as Bass Pro Shops, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Trump emphasized the importance of easing federal red tape and boosting outdoor participation among youth and military veterans.
According to a White House official, America’s outdoor recreation sector generates over $1.2 trillion annually and supports over 5 million jobs, underscoring the economic impact of these policy changes.
What's confirmed
- OAN Staff Brooke Mallory 6:37 PM – Thursday, September 17, 2026 President Donald Trump hosted a White House Rose Garden dinner on Thursday evening, welcoming more than 100 prominent hunters, anglers and outdoor industry leaders to celebrate America’s conservation heritage and roll back federal restrictions on public outdoor recreation.
- Trump will deliver remarks to the sportsmen and industry representatives as the administration is working to open more public lands and waterways, ease regulatory barriers and promote hunting for younger Americans and veterans.
- America’s outdoor recreation sector generates over $1.2 trillion for the country annually and supports over 5 million jobs, according to a White House official.
- Trump is expected to sign some executive orders aimed at expanding hunting and fishing opportunities and reversing some Biden-era restrictions.
- One of the policies that Trump will highlight in the executive order targets Biden-era restrictions on the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle.
What's still developing
- Provisions of the offshore order include transitioning charter boat operators toward multi-year permits, updating catch data collection by replacing traditional mail surveys with modern mobile app reporting, and establishing artificial reefs using decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms.. @POTUS : "America's outdoorsmen have not had a better friend in the Oval Office for many, many years." 🎯 pic.twitter.com/hO2xhOMx8p. @POTUS : Today, I signed an Executive Order opening up millions of acres of federal lands to our GREAT hunters and fishermen. pic.twitter.com/8LTXJMgxec Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
- Trump Restores American Saltwater Angling and Recreation https://t.co/NtBup8RW6G. @POTUS : The second Executive Order I signed today eliminates absurd federal regulations on our saltwater anglers, boaters, charter captains, and coastal communities. https://t.co/dYDSVE1Gyc pic.twitter.com/DzzlPW80P3 What do YOU think?
- The Trump administration’s directives instruct the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, War, and Commerce to review existing land management frameworks to ease federal red tape — while boosting outdoor participation among youth and military veterans.
- On the marine front, the new actions seek to streamline regulatory burdens for recreational offshore fishing and grant anglers an expanded voice in federal fishery management decisions.
- The US has announced targeted visa restrictions against South African nationals it claims are responsible for, or complicit in, race-based discrimination, incitement of violence and land expropriation without compensation, escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the travel sanctions on Tuesday, 15 September, and US Ambassador to SA Leo Brent Bozell III added that this was “only the first step in a series of escalatory measures that will show America’s firm resolve in this matter”.
- AfriForum has repeatedly called on the US to implement targeted sanctions against South African leaders, citing many of the same issues raised by Rubio.
- The US government did not say which individuals would be denied entry to the US, though there have been indications in the past that the likes of EFF leader Julius Malema and perhaps some ANC leaders could be targeted.