Trump asked Americans to help him whitewash national parks. They revolted instead
The DOI placed QR codes in national parks, inviting visitors to report content deemed ‘negative about either past or living Americans’. Instead, it became a mode of resistance
TL;DR
- The Trump administration initiated a campaign to censor historical content in US national parks.
- An Executive Order prompted the Department of Interior to review park materials for content 'inappropriately disparaging' Americans.
- This led to the removal of signs related to slavery, Indigenous history, and the climate crisis.
- Visitors were invited via QR codes to report 'negative' information, but many used this as a form of resistance.
- Over 35,000 comments were submitted between June 2025 and January 2026.
- At least 19,000 comments expressed support for the parks or opposition to the censorship campaign.
- The Guardian analyzed these comments, identifying themes of resistance against the administration's actions.