Trending Now - National Parks Revise Historical Narratives and Signage

WHO:

President Trump issued an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History."

Lucy Scott, a retired U.S. Park Ranger.

Alan Spears, a historian with the National Parks Conservation Association.

Chuck Sams, former director of the National Park System under President Biden.

Brenda Hafera, with the Heritage Foundation.

WHAT:

An executive order from President Trump called for the removal of signs promoting "divisive narratives" and "corrosive ideology" at national parks.

Signs related to climate change, race relations, slavery, women's history, and Indigenous peoples have been removed or flagged for review.

A sign made by Lucy Scott about climate change was taken down after being displayed for eight or nine years.

Panels from a 15-year-old exhibit about nine enslaved people at Independence National Historical Park were removed in January 2026.

An internal government database now lists hundreds of signs, books, and pamphlets flagged for review.

WHERE:

Muir Woods, California, located just north of San Francisco.

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York City.

National parks across the United States.

WHEN:

The executive order was issued in 2026.

The sign at Muir Woods was taken down a couple of weeks prior to March 22, 2026.

The signs at Independence National Historical Park were removed in January 2026.

WHY:

The administration claims the removed signs promote "divisive narratives" and "corrosive ideology."

Brenda Hafera stated that there should be a balance in focusing on historical narratives, suggesting that not everything should be political.

HOW:

The Department of the Interior directed the removal of signs that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living."

Visitors at national parks can now scan a QR code to report signs or brochures they consider problematic.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 17:18 UTC)

Today, President Trump issued an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which calls for the removal of signs promoting what his administration describes as "divisive narratives" and "corrosive ideology" at national parks across the country. This includes the removal of signs related to climate change, race relations, and Indigenous peoples, with a notable example being a climate change sign created by retired U.S. Park Ranger Lucy Scott that had been displayed for nearly a decade. The Department of the Interior is now directing the removal of these signs and has established an internal database listing hundreds of items flagged for review, while visitors can report signs they find problematic by scanning a QR code.