Visitors Push Back Against Trump’s Order on Historical Narratives

WHO:

ABC News - Trump administration, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Save Our Signs (a watchdog group of librarians, public historians, and data experts), Jenny McBurney (government publications librarian at the University of Minnesota).

AP News - Visitors to U.S. national parks, including individuals from North Carolina, North Dakota, Missouri, and Virginia.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Trump administration issued an order asking national park visitors to report displays or exhibits that present “negative” information about Americans.

AP News - An analysis of 35,000 public comments submitted in response to the administration's solicitation revealed that more than half criticized the effort itself.

ABC News - The National Park Service logged approximately 323 million visits at over 400 sites the previous year.

ABC News - At least 59 signs have been documented as removed or modified by the Save Our Signs group, including those related to slavery, climate change, women’s rights, and Native American history.

ABC News - Some exhibits at Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park were removed, including those about nine enslaved individuals under George Washington.

WHERE:

ABC News - U.S. national parks, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota), Gateway Arch National Park (St. Louis), Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia), Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (Missouri), Booker T. Washington National Monument (Virginia), Acadia National Park (Maine), Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming), Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (New York City), Virgin Islands National Park.

WHEN:

ABC News - The order by the Trump administration was issued last year.

ABC News - The public comments were submitted in the second half of 2025 and released following a lawsuit.

WHY:

ABC News - The Trump administration aimed to emphasize the achievements of America and the beauty of its landscapes through the order.

ABC News - The goal of the order was to restore sites to “solemn and uplifting public monuments” that reflect America’s heritage and progress.

HOW:

ABC News - The administration solicited public comments from visitors to national parks to report “inappropriate content” in exhibits and displays.

AP News - The comments were analyzed and revealed a significant backlash against the administration's efforts, with many comments being critical and personally crafted.

(UPDATED June 10, 2026 12:08 UTC)

The Trump administration has issued an order asking visitors to U.S. national parks to report any displays that present what they consider “negative” information about Americans, aiming to highlight the nation’s achievements and natural beauty. An analysis of over 35,000 public comments submitted in response to this solicitation revealed that more than half criticized the effort, with at least 59 signs related to topics like slavery and women's rights documented as removed or modified by the watchdog group Save Our Signs. Some exhibits, including those about enslaved individuals under George Washington, have also been removed from sites like Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park, reflecting a significant backlash against the administration's initiative.