Trump jokes he 'could've banned fishing' with his 'office power' before easing hunting rules

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, September 17, joked about the immense power of the presidency, as he announced executive orders rolling back certain hunting and fishing restrictions.

Hosting more than 100 hunters, anglers, and outdoor industry officials for a dinner in the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced measures aimed at increasing public access to federal lands, loosening fishing regulations, and reversing limits on traditional lead ammunition and tackle.

Trump jokes he could have ‘banned fishing’ as he touts presidential power

Trump used a hypothetical ban to illustrate what he described as the broad authority of the presidency while speaking to the outdoor industry representatives gathered at the White House.

“I could’ve banned fishing. I'll tell you what. The power of this office is crazy. I could have banned fishing and driven Johnny right the hell out of business, okay? I think I'm gonna do that, maybe just a quick order, just for a day or two till he calls me and he says, Please, President, please. You're putting me out of business, sir,” he joked. 

Trump then turned to the policies he was announcing, stating that his administration believes public lands should remain accessible to hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. “We believe that public lands belong to the American people and to the public, and hunters, fishers, and outdoorsmen should be able to access them,” the 80-year-old said.

One executive order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to expand the amount of federal land available for hunting and fishing. The move builds on an August order that opened more than 92 million acres of federal land across 32 states.

The president also highlighted a rollback of Biden-era restrictions on traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle. “Lead ammunition was a problem, huh? Is it better than other ammunition? I assume, huh? That’s pretty good,” Trump said. “I don’t know what the hell that means, but I know one thing: you wanted it. You wanted it, and I’m here for you.”

A second order modernizes federal fishery management policies, expands fishing seasons and quotas, and eases restrictions for recreational anglers and boaters.

Trump criticizes Biden-era regulations, hints at Great American Outdoors Act '2.0' 

Trump also criticized regulations proposed during former President Joe Biden's administration, including a boating speed rule he said would have limited vessels to 10 miles per hour in some areas. 

“As the Biden administration tried to bludgeon the boating and maritime industry with a ridiculous boating speed limit of no more than 10 miles per hour,” the Republican leader said, adding that such limits would have made fishing trips impractical. “Well, I guess they had 10 miles. They didn't want to hurt something in the water. They didn't want to hurt sharks. It's unbelievable."

Trump said the administration is eliminating those restrictions and restoring greater access for recreational boaters. “You can go slightly faster than 10 miles an hour, like 120 miles an hour if you're crazy,” Trump shared. “But you can go as fast as you want, and we have that order. It's all signed, sealed, and delivered.”

The president also pointed to the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which funded repairs at national parks and supported conservation projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Trump said legislation resembling a “2.0” version of the law could be introduced in the near future.