DOI Hits Back at Criticism Over Trump's National Parks Move
Source: Newsweek
Feb 12, 2026 at 08:01 AM EST
The Department of the Interior (DOI) has responded to anonymous criticism among its own employees, shared by the San Francisco outlet, SFGATE, regarding its introduction of a "media reporting tool." According to a DOI internal communications platform seen by SFGATE, the tool was announced on February 4 and it was said that it would "ensure that all public-facing content focuses on ‘the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people or, with respect to natural features, the beauty, abundance, and grandeur of the American landscape.'"
This tool comes as part of the DOI's Secretary’s Order 3431, or SO 3431, passed in May 2025, which implemented provisions outlined in President Donald Trump's Executive Order 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History' brought in on March 27, 2025. A DOI spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that SFGATE's report was relating to SO 3431, but said that the outlet "continues to ignore the facts and mischaracterize this Department and the National Park Service."
Why It Matters
Public response to the changes being made in National Parks is wide ranging. Some are becoming increasingly angered about how America's National Parks are being changed. At the end of last year, the Trump administration removed Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day and Juneteenth from the 2026 National Parks fee-free days, sparking notable backlash and lawmakers raised legislation to counter the move.
The DOI also announced an increase in fees for foreign visitors, and new digital "America the Beautiful" passes, with the president's face on them, which sparked a lawsuit. The Center for Biological Diversity filed the complaint claiming the move violated federal law. It was also announced that any National Park visitors who covered Trump’s face on these passes could find their pass voided.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/doi-hits-back-criticism-trumps-national-parks-move-11510199
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