The Center for Biological Diversity has initiated a lawsuit aimed at preventing President Donald Trump’s image from being featured on national park passes next year. Filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., the complaint argues that the Trump administration breached the federal Land and Recreation Enhancement Act by substituting the winning photograph from the National Park Foundation’s annual photography contest with a photo of Trump.
Kieran Suckling, the executive director of the center, criticized the move, saying, “Erasing the majesty of America’s national parks with a close-up of his own face is President Trump’s most ego-driven move yet.” He emphasized that national parks hold significance for Americans of all backgrounds, serving as a unifying force that goes beyond divisive political views.
Suckling further chastised the decision, stating, “It’s gross that President Trump politicizes America’s most sacred spaces by putting his face on our national parks, similar to how he puts his name on buildings and businesses.”
The upcoming 2026 America the Beautiful Pass was initially set to showcase images of Glacier National Park, thanks to the photo contest’s winner, but the Department of the Interior replaced it with Trump’s close-up instead. The complaint notes that the Glacier National Park image was unlawfully demoted to a new “nonresident” pass.
Moreover, the lawsuit claims that the administration violated legal guidelines by using images not taken on federal land or submitted for public consideration, creating unauthorized passes for residents and nonresidents.
In a pointed remark, Suckling stated, “Beautiful America means wild rivers and majestic mountains, not the face of a bloated, fragile, attention-seeking ego. There’s nothing beautiful about it.”
The Department of the Interior announced the launch of the America the Beautiful Pass on November 25, describing the initiative as one that aims to prioritize American families by rolling out new resident-centric fees beginning January 1, 2026. The pass is scheduled to include images of various animals, parks, George Washington, and President Theodore Roosevelt, known for his contributions to the establishment of America’s national parks.
Additionally, the Trump administration has designated Trump’s birthday as a free admission day for national park visitors, while removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the roster of free days.
Fox News Digital has sought reactions from both the White House and the Department of the Interior regarding the lawsuit.
