Thousands of comments submitted through National Park Service feedback signs criticized the Trump administration, opposed historical revisions, and called for more funding and staffing at national parks.
Last year, the Department of the Interior (DOI), the federal agency that manages the nation’s national parks, installed what critics dubbed “snitch signs” at national parks, asking visitors to report any negative portrayals of American history. But instead of reporting signage, visitors left thousands of comments criticizing the Trump administration.
Recently, the National Park Service (NPS) released public comments received between June 4, 2025, and Jan. 14, 2026. The file contains roughly 35,000 comments, many of them repeated. But the exercise may have been futile because much of the feedback strongly disapproves of the president and his administration, with commenters demanding that national parks not erase or rewrite history. Others pointed to a lack of information about climate change, transgender rights, and slavery.
Most notably, many comments directly criticized President Trump and DOI Secretary Doug Burgum. One commenter wrote, “You asked us to report anti-American behavior. I would like to report the Fascist in Chief, Donald J. Trump, for being a stain on this country, its people and its land. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
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Others described the administration’s actions as un-American and accused it of attempting to erase history. One comment stated: “Trump administration: Hands off our history. The rangers at this National Park are doing a great job. They are providing an essential service, protecting our history and beautiful natural landscapes for future generations. Instead of undermining them, you should support them.”
In 2025, President Trump signed a directive recognizing only two genders, and the administration subsequently removed references to transgender people from federal websites. Visitors noted the lack of acknowledgment of transgender activists and urged the NPS to restore signage recognizing their role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
Many commenters also called on the NPS to hire more rangers and increase funding, arguing that the parks need additional support. In 2025, President Trump launched DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency initiative, which significantly reduced the National Park Service workforce. Approximately 1,000 park employees, about 5% of the workforce, were laid off, leaving many parks understaffed. The administration’s 2027 budget proposal would further reduce NPS funding by $736 million, roughly 20% of its $3.2 billion annual budget, potentially putting additional jobs at risk.
Many comments criticized the feedback initiative itself. One commenter wrote, “Climate change is real and so is racism. Snitch signs are fascist.” Another said the signs soliciting feedback were ridiculous and that history should not be revised simply because it makes people uncomfortable.
Not all comments were political. Some focused on park services, others praised the natural beauty of the parks, and some made jokes, including remarks about not being able to spot Bigfoot.
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Erasure of History
The controversy began in May 2025, when President Trump signed Secretarial Order 3431, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The order directed federal sites to “remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union.”
In practice, critics say the policy led national parks to remove signs and exhibits of historical significance in an effort to reshape historical narratives. A removal tracker maintained by Save Our Signs documents signs that have been removed or modified, including those related to slavery, Indigenous history, climate change, and LGBTQ+ history. The National Parks Conservation Association has also documented exhibit changes, including alterations to a slavery-related exhibit at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
A QR code posted at national parks now asks visitors to report “any signs or other information that are negative about either past or living Americans or that fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur and abundance of landscapes and other natural features.”
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The policy has generated backlash from advocacy groups, activists, park rangers, and members of the public. Multiple lawsuits have been filed alleging violations of free speech protections. Meanwhile, a coalition of roughly 1,000 off-duty, former, and retired park rangers has organized in opposition to what they describe as censorship and unlawful terminations. The group, known as Resistance Rangers, encourages visitors to contact their elected representatives and send postcards to Secretary Burgum.