On July 1, 2026, President Donald Trump boarded the Freedom 250 Train, operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), heading to the inauguration of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
As the train journeyed only a short distance of about a third of a mile, it was met by enthusiastic supporters and a reenactment group of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders who cheered with chants of “USA! USA!”
Emerging from the final car of the sleek five-car Freedom 250 train, Trump was seen grinning broadly and pumping his fist in celebration.
What’s happening now: @POTUS When he stepped off the Freedom Train in Medora, North Dakota, he was greeted by a crowd of supporters.
“America! America! America!” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/bGufc27mtB
The new library, covering 96,000 square feet, is a significant investment of $450 million, backed by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who previously served as the governor of North Dakota. The focus of the library is on the contributions of 26 individuals, including the 26th President of the United States.
It’s important to note that this facility is not an official presidential library governed by the federal government; instead, it operates independently of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Since NARA’s presidential library system was established only for those who served in office from 1955 onward, earlier presidential libraries are typically funded through private foundations and state partnerships.
