Trump Expands DEI Crackdown
The Trump administration’s ongoing effort to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the federal government has now reached national park gift shops, according to a newly disclosed internal memo.
Last month, Acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron instructed park officials to review merchandise sold in government-affiliated retail locations. The goal, the memo states, is to ensure compliance with an order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directing agencies to end activities tied to DEI, accessibility programs, or “environmental justice” initiatives.
Administration officials say the move is part of a broader effort to keep federally managed spaces politically neutral and focused on their core mission.
Like previous Trump administration directives, the memo does not provide a formal definition of DEI. That omission has led to speculation about how the policy could affect certain products sold in national park stores.
An Interior Department spokesperson addressed those concerns directly, rejecting claims that the review targets minority history or culture.
“If you’ve read the memo, then you know that’s not what it says,” the spokesperson said.
According to the department, Secretary Burgum’s order is intended to prevent government-affiliated retail spaces from promoting political or ideological viewpoints.
“To comply with this directive, the National Park Service is conducting a standard review of retail merchandise to ensure gift shops remain neutral and welcoming to all visitors,” the spokesperson explained. “The objective is to keep national parks focused on preserving America’s natural beauty and cultural heritage for the benefit of all Americans.”
The merchandise review is expected to conclude by next Friday. The memo itself does not outline specific criteria for determining which items meet the neutrality standard.
The document became public this week after being released by the National Parks Conservation Association, an advocacy group that has frequently opposed Trump administration policies.
A spokesperson for the organization criticized the review, suggesting it could affect certain books or souvenirs sold in park stores. However, administration officials stress that the policy is not about removing history, but about ensuring federal spaces do not promote political narratives unrelated to conservation and preservation.
The gift shop review is part of a wider Trump administration initiative to reassess how history and culture are presented across federally managed lands. Earlier this year, the administration directed National Park Service units to evaluate public-facing displays, signage, and educational materials to ensure they do not unfairly portray Americans or detract from the natural beauty, abundance, and historical significance of national parks.
Supporters of the administration’s approach argue the policy reflects a commonsense effort to return national parks to their original purpose — conservation, education, and national unity — rather than political messaging.
