The Trump administration has instructed the National Park Service (NPS) to eliminate certain representations of critical aspects of American history and instead focus on promoting “the progress of the American people.”
This directive impacts 433 NPS sites, requiring them to remove references that might “inappropriately denounce Americans.” The goal is to highlight “American progress” and showcase “the grandeur of the American landscape.” A deadline of September 17, 2025, has been established for these changes. The specific topics to be removed include climate change, historical racial issues, Native American history, and slavery. According to reports from a notable publication:
At Cape Hatteras National Seashore, internal documents indicated that Park Service staff asked for a review of signs addressing how rising sea levels threaten wild horse habitats.
At the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, employees expressed concerns about an exhibition panel discussing Bell’s significance during the Reconstruction era. The panel addresses the systemic and violent racism and sexism of that period, as noted by park staff.
Similarly, at the nearby Independence National Historical Park, which hosted debates and the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, concerns were raised regarding an exhibition dedicated to the nine enslaved individuals brought by George Washington from Mount Vernon. One display explicitly details the heinous actions of slave owners, such as whippings and other forms of abuse.
Dan Wenk, who previously directed Yellowstone National Park, mentioned that there’s a tendency to hide “facets of our history that we no longer take pride in.”
“National parks were created to narrate American stories. We shouldn’t only highlight what makes us look impressive,” Wenk remarked. “There are certainly parts of our history that we aren’t proud of.”
Kristen Brengel, a senior vice president at the National Park Conservation Association, expressed skepticism about whether Park Service employees would adhere to the new order.
“Staff members are really caught in the middle,” Brengel stated. “If they don’t comply with this order, they might face job loss.”
Elizabeth Peace, a spokesperson for the Home Office, which oversees Park Services, stated that the directives from the Trump administration aren’t intended to distort history or erase the past.
“Materials that focus too heavily on the negative aspects of American history without providing broader context can unintentionally cloud understanding, rather than deepening it,” Peace explained in a statement. “We aim to foster truthful and respectful storytelling while educating our visitors about the complexities of our shared history.”
