Trump Administration Sued for Allegedly Erasing History and Science in National Parks

The Trump administration is facing a lawsuit over allegations that it is erasing history and science from America's national parks. A coalition of conservation and historical organizations filed the lawsuit in Boston, claiming that National Park Service policies are censoring exhibits that share factually accurate and relevant US history and scientific knowledge.

According to the lawsuit, orders from President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have resulted in the removal or censorship of exhibits that address topics such as slavery and climate change. The suit claims that these actions are part of a broader effort to "erase history and science" from national parks, and that they are in violation of the National Park Service's mission to "preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations."

The lawsuit cites several examples of exhibits that have been removed or censored, including a exhibit at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania that addressed the role of slavery in the Civil War. The suit also claims that park service staff have been instructed to remove or downplay references to climate change in park exhibits and educational materials.

In addition to the allegations regarding the censorship of exhibits, the lawsuit also includes a separate claim regarding the removal of a rainbow Pride flag from the Stonewall national monument in New York. The flag was removed in June 2019, after it was erected to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a pivotal event in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of challenges to the Trump administration's policies regarding national parks and monuments. In 2017, the administration faced criticism for its decision to reduce the size of several national monuments, including Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Arizona.

The National Park Service has not commented on the lawsuit, but a spokesperson for the agency said that it is committed to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the national parks. "The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the national parks, and to providing visitors with an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the parks' history and significance," the spokesperson said.

The lawsuit is being brought by a coalition of organizations, including the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. The groups are seeking a court order that would require the National Park Service to restore the censored exhibits and to develop policies that ensure the accurate and comprehensive presentation of history and science in national parks.

"The Trump administration's efforts to erase history and science from national parks are a threat to the very mission of the National Park Service," said a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association. "We will continue to fight to ensure that the national parks remain a source of truth and education for the American people."

The lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing debate over the management of national parks and monuments. The Trump administration has faced criticism from conservation and historical organizations for its policies regarding national parks, and this lawsuit is likely to add to the controversy.