WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has issued a new directive aimed at ensuring that national parks and federal lands reflect what he calls an “accurate portrayal of American history,” free from what he describes as partisan reinterpretations.
The order follows an executive directive signed by former President Donald Trump in March, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” That executive order mandates the identification and potential reinstatement of public monuments, memorials, statues, and markers that have been removed or altered since January 1, 2020, if such changes are deemed to perpetuate a false or partisan version of historical events.
The directive calls for all federally managed properties under the Department of the Interior—including those overseen by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—to eliminate or revise content that is perceived to “disparage” Americans, whether historical or contemporary. Instead, exhibits and signage should highlight American achievements, progress, and the natural beauty of the nation’s landscape.
A spokesperson for the Interior Department emphasized that the effort is focused specifically on “historical monuments, markers, and memorials altered or removed since 2020.” In a statement to Nexstar, the department affirmed its commitment to preserving “the integrity of our nation’s historical legacy for future generations,” and confirmed initial steps are already underway to implement the order.
As part of the directive, Burgum has instructed that new signage be installed across national parks and federal lands to solicit visitor feedback. These signs will include QR codes and language encouraging guests to report not only infrastructure issues and service deficiencies but also any interpretive materials or signage that may be viewed as negative toward Americans or that fail to adequately showcase the nation’s natural grandeur.
The text on the signs will read, in part:
“(Name of property) belongs to the American people, and (name of land management Bureau) wants your feedback. Please let us know if you have identified (1) any areas of the (park/area, etc.) that need repair; (2) any services that need improvement; or (3) 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.”
It remains unclear whether geographic features recently renamed to remove derogatory language—including sites in Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks—will be subject to reversal under the order.
The directive has drawn criticism from advocacy organizations. Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, warned that the policy could undermine efforts to present unvarnished truths about American history.
“This order sets a dangerous precedent of prioritizing nostalgia over truth at our parks,” Pierno said. “Should rangers at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument avoid speaking negatively about slavery? Should rangers at Manzanar National Historic Site avoid talking about the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II?”
According to the National Parks Conservation Association, federal law—specifically the 1916 Organic Act and the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act—requires the National Park Service to preserve, protect, and interpret the full breadth of American history, including its more difficult chapters.
Further details regarding implementation and potential reversals of past decisions are expected in the coming weeks.
