Public Backlash Over Administration’s National Park Signage Initiative

The Trump administration’s request to report displays at national parks perceived as “negative” about Americans drew significant criticism. An Associated Press analysis revealed over half of the 35,000 public comments submitted during the second half of 2025 opposed the initiative. A visitor to a park in North Carolina deemed the effort “un-American,” while another criticized the idea of citizens reporting on each other.

Many commenters viewed the solicitation as an attempt to erase history. A comment from North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park stated, “Trying to erase history doesn’t mean it didn’t still happen!” Overall, the feedback largely centered on disapproval of the administration’s approach.

The initiative to flag “inappropriate content” was part of an order by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, following President Donald Trump’s directive on “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The goal was to highlight America’s achievements and natural beauty, with an emphasis on progress toward a more perfect Union and human flourishing.

A watchdog group, Save Our Signs, has documented changes or removals of at least 59 signs referencing topics such as slavery, climate change, and Native American history. Jenny McBurney, a government publications librarian, noted the changes seemed to align with an ideology portraying America as faultless.

Many alterations occurred at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, where exhibits on enslaved individuals under George Washington were removed but later restored by a judge’s order. However, the restoration was halted after an appeal.

Certain comments commended the parks and emphasized the importance of learning about challenging aspects of American history. A visitor to Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis wrote, “We need those reminders to help us become even better in the future.”

Other visitors criticized signs they felt presented misleading narratives. At Missouri’s Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, a visitor criticized an installation praising Truman as a “founding father” of diversity, describing it as an exaggeration linked to modern ideologies.

Despite public concerns, an Interior spokesperson indicated many flagged materials remained unchanged across the park system. Changes have also been reported at Acadia National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, among others.

Save Our Signs highlights ongoing public interest in accurately preserving history within national parks. “We hear from folks all over the country that history matters,” said McBurney.