National Parks Ordered to Remove Diversity-Focused Merchandise Under Trump Administration Directive
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move reflecting the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies, the Department of the Interior has issued a directive requiring America’s national parks to purge merchandise deemed inconsistent with new DEI compliance standards. The order, which was communicated to National Park Service (NPS) units on November 25, mandates that all retail items in park gift shops be reviewed and non-compliant products removed by December 19.
The directive stems from Secretary Doug Burgum’s Order 3416, which enforces President Donald Trump’s Executive Order titled “Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism.” This executive order seeks to eliminate diversity-related programs and address what the administration describes as “gender ideology extremism” within federal agencies. According to an Interior Department spokesperson, the review focuses on ensuring that merchandise sold in NPS gift shops aligns with the agency’s core mission of preserving natural and cultural resources for all Americans.
“The goal is to keep national parks focused on their core mission: preserving natural and cultural resources for the benefit of all Americans,” the spokesperson stated. “If any items are found to be inconsistent with the Order, they are being removed from sale immediately.”
Retail items in park gift shops are considered “public-facing content,” making them subject to the new compliance requirements. The memo accompanying the order explicitly instructs that any merchandise identified as “non-compliant” must be taken off shelves without delay. Many of these gift shops are located within visitor centers at major parks, while others serve smaller or more remote locations. Most shops are operated by nonprofit partners of the NPS, with proceeds supporting park maintenance and visitor services.
The National Park Service reported that over 330 million people visited America’s national parks in 2024, underscoring the significance of these retail outlets in shaping visitor experiences. The Department of the Interior recently launched the “America the Beautiful” passes, which provide digital and physical access to national parks and federal recreational lands. Beginning January 1, 2026, these passes will implement a new resident-focused fee structure aimed at prioritizing American families.
The sweeping review of merchandise follows broader federal efforts to reshape agency priorities and programming. The Department of the Interior has emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger strategy to refocus federal resources on traditional conservation and cultural preservation goals, rather than on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The National Park Service, a bureau within the Department of the Interior, manages more than 400 sites across the United States. Its mission includes safeguarding natural landscapes, historic sites, and cultural heritage for public enjoyment and education. The recent directive has sparked debate among advocates who argue that diversity and inclusion are integral to the agency’s mission of serving all Americans equitably.
For more information on the National Park Service and its policies, visit the NPS official website. Details on the executive order and related federal directives can be found on the White House website, while additional context about federal agency diversity programs is available through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The Department of the Interior’s announcements and updates are accessible at doi.gov/news.
As the December 19 deadline approaches, national parks across the country are actively auditing their retail inventories to comply with the new mandate. Visitors and stakeholders alike await to see how this policy shift will impact the cultural and educational materials available at park gift shops nationwide.
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