An environmental organization is advocating for the removal of former President Donald Trump’s image from national park passes. This initiative comes as the Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., aiming to prevent the display of Trump’s portrait on the upcoming 2026 passes.
Legal Basis for the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, lodged on a Wednesday, references the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). This act, which was established in 2004, mandates that the secretaries of the interior and agriculture conduct an annual photography contest. The winning photograph is supposed to be featured on the “America the Beautiful Pass.”
On November 25, an announcement from the Interior Department revealed that the 2026 pass would feature Trump’s image, overshadowing the winning photo of this year’s contest, which depicted Glacier National Park in Montana.
Rules of the Photography Contest
The Center for Biological Diversity pointed out that the contest rules specify that submitted photos must be taken on federal public lands or waters. Furthermore, images deemed controversial or inappropriate are disqualified. The rules also dictate that submissions must not be excessively altered.
- Contest requirements include:
- Photographs must be taken on federal public lands.
- Any controversial or indecent images are not eligible.
- Excessively altered images will be disqualified.
The lawsuit highlights that the decision to feature Trump’s image contradicts the expectations of contest participants and undermines public engagement outlined in the FLREA.
Implications of the Lawsuit
The Center for Biological Diversity is seeking a federal ruling declaring that the Trump administration has violated the FLREA. They aim to prevent the image of Trump from appearing on the new national park passes.
As of Wednesday night, there was no immediate response from the Interior and Agriculture Departments regarding the lawsuit. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had previously promoted the annual pass in a video, showcasing it along with other offerings planned for 2026.
Controversies Surrounding Changes in National Parks
This lawsuit emerges in a context where the Interior Department has made several operational changes in national parks in relation to Trump. Recently, the department included Trump’s birthday, June 14, as a free entry day for national parks in 2026, while removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list.
The ongoing legal battle raises questions about the future representation of national parks and the integrity of public programs aimed at promoting conservation and recreation.
