The Interior Department has mandated that national parks review and remove gift shop items related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to maintain “neutral spaces” for all visitors. This directive aligns with broader efforts following executive actions by President Donald Trump targeting DEI programs across the federal government. Parks have until December 19 to review all retail items, a process confirmed by the Interior Department to ensure items inconsistent with the order are removed. The initiative has drawn criticism from groups like the National Parks Conservation Association, who view it as an attempt to “sanitize, soften or erase history.”
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In a controversial move, the Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the 2026 fee-free days calendar at National Parks, replacing them with days honoring past presidents and Flag Day, which coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday. These holidays, which were added to the fee-free calendar in recent years, were removed in conjunction with the administration’s pause on public days of remembrance and ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The shift has drawn criticism, with advocates expressing concerns about access for Black communities and the symbolic implications of the changes. The decision reflects a broader focus on America’s 250th anniversary, as indicated by the inclusion of several other commemorative days.
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The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free days at National Parks for 2026. Instead, the Department of the Interior will celebrate additional former presidents’ birthdays and Flag Day, which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. This decision follows a broader focus on “America-first” policies and will impact which American holidays are celebrated in the park system. Critics express concern that the shift in fee-free days sends a troubling message about who the parks are for and a reduction in information about the nation’s struggle toward liberty and justice for all. The new fee-free days also include changes in park entry costs for non-U.S. residents.
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The Interior Department unveiled new policies affecting national parks, including increased entrance fees for international visitors starting next year, with options for a $250 annual pass or $100 per-person entry to select parks, while US residents can purchase a standard $80 pass. Commemorative annual passes featuring George Washington and Donald Trump, and a military pass with Trump, will be issued in 2026. Moreover, five additional fee-free days for US residents, including Trump’s birthday, were announced in 2026.
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The government shutdown’s immediate impact will be felt by federal workers and contractors, who will face missed wages. As the shutdown continues, the lack of funds will affect social security payments, impacting families. Furthermore, crucial services like national parks could face funding shortages. Finally, there is concern the shutdown might lead to federal job cuts, which have historically been reversed.
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During a meeting with police and military personnel at the Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, D.C., President Trump discussed plans to revamp the city’s national parks, suggesting they would be transformed into golf club-like landscapes. Citing his expertise in grass management, due to his ownership of numerous golf courses, Trump envisioned new sprinkler systems and vibrant green lawns for these areas. The president, whose remarks included philosophical musings on the life of grass, emphasized the need to rebuild and revitalize the parks. These comments came as he declared that the improvements would be swift, and he would handle the physical reconstruction while law enforcement focused on safety.
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Following budget cuts and staff reductions under the Trump administration, national parks across the US are struggling to maintain operations. Archeologists, ecologists, and superintendents are being forced to perform menial tasks, like cleaning bathrooms, due to the loss of a quarter of the NPS’s permanent staff. Critics warn that this re-prioritization of duties is detrimental to park safety, maintenance, and long-term ecological health. The administration’s focus on seasonal hires and public-facing roles is resulting in a “Potemkin village” effect that puts the long-term sustainability of these national treasures at risk.
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Wildfires are escalating across the American West, prompting closures and evacuations in several national parks. Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona were forced to close due to active blazes. These fires, fueled by hot temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds, have caused evacuations and concern for nearby residents and visitors. Fire officials emphasized the importance of responsible recreation due to the hazardous conditions and the potential for human-caused ignitions.
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A new Trump administration policy, aiming to eliminate “negative” portrayals of American history in national parks, has been met with widespread criticism. Instead of reporting such information, visitors overwhelmingly opposed the initiative, praising park staff and urging the preservation of truthful historical accounts. The policy, stemming from a March executive order, seeks to present a more positive, unified narrative of American history. Early responses to the policy’s implementation reveal near-universal rejection of its intentions.
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New signage in National Parks nationwide encourages visitors to report park employees and informational displays deemed negative towards America or insufficiently celebratory of natural landscapes. This initiative, stemming from an executive order aiming to “restore truth and sanity,” is criticized by the National Parks Conservation Association as an attempt to whitewash history, suppressing accurate accounts of difficult periods in American history. The association argues this silences crucial historical narratives and threatens the ability of park rangers to fully and honestly engage with the past. These signs, appearing at multiple parks including Cuyahoga Valley National Park, mandate reporting via QR code.
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John Q. Hosedrinker