Trump Administration Directs National Parks to Scrub Climate Change and Native American History Displays
Officials in Donald Trump's administration have instructed national parks across the United States to remove or revise signage addressing climate change and Native American history, according to a new investigative report. This directive represents a significant shift in how America's natural and historical heritage is presented to millions of annual visitors.
Widespread Implementation Across Multiple States
In recent weeks, park staff at more than a dozen locations spanning Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah have received explicit orders to alter or eliminate such educational displays. The Washington Post, citing government documents, revealed the systematic nature of these changes affecting some of the nation's most iconic protected landscapes.
Executive Order Drives Content Purge
These modifications directly align with President Donald Trump's March 2025 executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." The order explicitly aims to purge what it describes as "partisan ideology" from federal sites, specifically targeting mentions of racism, sexism, LGBTQ topics and climate change in educational materials.
The Interior Department, under Secretary Doug Burgum's leadership, confirmed these actions comply with the presidential directive. "All federal agencies are to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values," the department stated. "Following completion of the required review, the National Park Service is now taking appropriate action in accordance with the Order."
Specific Examples of Content Removal
At Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, staff recently removed an exhibit section detailing how settlers exploited land for mining and pushed "tribes off their land" to establish the park. Employees also eliminated references to ranchers "carelessly overgrazing" and tourists "foolishly" discarding trash. Roadside signs addressing climate change and pollution have been marked for potential elimination.
Glacier National Park in Montana saw language about climate change flagged for review, including signs explaining the potential disappearance of the park's namesake glaciers. Even a gift shop sign stating "Climate Change Affects National Parks and the Treasures They Protect" was targeted.
At Big Bend National Park near the Texas-Mexico border, over a dozen displays have been slated for removal, many covering seemingly noncontroversial topics like prehistoric history, geology and fossils. The administration's removal orders reportedly provided no explanation for why these specific signs were problematic.
Criticism and Historical Context
Conservation groups and former park officials have condemned the moves as historical whitewashing. Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of the National Parks Conservation Association, told the Post that the administration's measures "should offend every American." She added that park staffers feel pressured to "select stories because they think the administration will threaten their jobs if they don't."
Jeff Mow, Glacier National Park's former superintendent, expressed concern about the broader implications: "We're whitewashing or we're taking out all those sort of not-so-nice stories that have occurred in our nation's history."
Bob Krumenaker, former superintendent of Big Bend National Park, suggested park service employees shouldn't be blamed: "They are being told they have to do these things. And my hope is they're saving these exhibits for when things change so they can put them back up."
Pattern of Controversial Park Policies
This represents the latest in a series of controversial changes affecting national parks under the Trump administration. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency moved to weaken a decades-old rule designed to improve visibility at national parks. The administration previously proposed cutting the parks' budget by $1 billion, which would have marked the largest reduction in the system's 109-year history.
The current removal initiative raises fundamental questions about how America presents its complex history and environmental challenges within its most treasured public spaces, potentially altering visitor understanding for years to come.
