Trump Administration Mandates Removal of DEI Merchandise in National Parks

Sat Dec 20 2025 10:42:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration is intensifying its focus on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion merchandise from national park gift shops, aiming for educational neutrality.

In a new directive from the Interior Department, national parks are ordered to remove merchandise deemed inconsistent with the Trump administration’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Critics argue this could result in censorship, potentially impacting educational resources offered to the public. The Interior Department claims the goal is to create neutral spaces that serve all visitors. While some view this as a means to uphold conservative values, others assert it undermines the parks’ educational mission.

Trump Administration Cracks Down on Diversity Merchandise in National Parks

In a significant shift enforced by the Trump administration, national parks have been directed to eliminate merchandise that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from their gift shops. This order, communicated through a memo from the Interior Department, sets a deadline of December 19 for parks to review and remove such items.

The move is framed as an effort to maintain 'neutral spaces that serve all visitors,' according to the Interior Department. This initiative is part of a broader strategy undertaken by the Trump administration over the past year, aimed at dismantling policies that are perceived to discriminate based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. This has already led some universities and businesses to scale back their diversity programs.

Cultural conservationists have condemned the directive, claiming it amounts to censorship and contradicts the National Park Service's educational mission. Critics express concerns that it will inhibit public access to diverse perspectives and educational resources, which are integral to understanding America’s complex history.

Employees working within park services have voiced confusion over what specific merchandise will be targeted for removal. Many fear repercussions for speaking out regarding the order.

Supporting the administration's stance, analysts from conservative think tanks contend that taxpayer-funded facilities should not propagate ideologies they view as divisive. However, these competing views underline a gaping divide in how the nation interprets history and culture.

Uncertainty in Implementation

The details surrounding what items will be banned remain ambiguous. No training sessions about the limitations of acceptable merchandise have been provided to park service employees, leaving a significant gap in communication and policy enforcement.

Some parks, such as Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, are reportedly not finding items that need to be removed from their inventory. The review process for items, which typically advocates for educational merit, has remained unchanged, prompting questions about the necessity and impact of this order during a time when operational resources are already stretched thin.

Declining Visitor Amenities and Increased Scrutiny

The scrutiny surrounding national parks has magnified, further highlighted by recent decisions such as halting complimentary admission on holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day while favoring Flag Day, coinciding with Trump's birthday next year. Under prior directives, park signage that is critical of America's history was flagged for removal, stirring controversy over educational transparency.

Despite critiques, the administration continues to push for a legacy of celebrating American accomplishments, often at the expense of acknowledging the nation's historical challenges. This current shift in policy at national parks may ultimately reflect an ongoing struggle over the narrative of American identity.