Trump adds his birthday as free national park day while axing MLK Day and Juneteenth

US President Donald Trump has announced that his birthday, as well as Flag Day and the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service, will be free days for entry into national parks. This decision marks a significant shift in how Americans can access these protected areas, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth being axed from the list.

In contrast to previous years, when many civil rights observances were included, this year's lineup has been stripped of several events honoring Black American history and contributions. This move has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who argue that the removals will have a negative impact on communities of color.

The National Parks Conservation Association has expressed concerns over the elimination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which had become a popular day for community groups to conduct volunteer projects at national parks. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto also weighed in on the changes, stating that the President's actions undermine the country's commitment to civil rights and freedom.

In response, the Trump administration is introducing fully digital America the Beautiful passes that can be purchased and displayed on mobile devices. This will allow visitors to activate their passes instantly and link them to physical cards if needed. The agency has also rolled out new validation tools and training for park staff to speed up entrance lines and simplify visitor experiences.

The department is implementing a new fee structure, with lower costs for US residents and higher prices for international visitors. The annual pass will remain $80 for Americans but jump to $250 for nonresidents. Foreign visitors who do not hold a pass will pay an additional $100 per person at 11 of the most visited national parks.

While this overhaul aims to improve efficiency and revenue, it has sparked controversy among those who value the historical significance of these events and the importance of preserving access for all Americans.

omg dont even get me started on this new policy lol like whats going on with flag day now? and martin luther king jr day is literally one of the most important holidays in america i cant believe trump axed it from the list i mean i get it he wants to make america great again but come on dude we need our civil rights too theres nothing wrong with giving back to the community and having a good time at the national parks i hope they dont implement this new fee structure because im not paying $250 for a pass lol that's just crazy

I'm thinkin' about how freedom of access can be both a blessing and a curse . On one hand, makin' national parks free days is like openin' doors to a whole new world of experience and connection with nature, but on the other hand, you gotta wonder what's the real cost of erasin' the historical significance of events that matter to our communities .

It's like Trump's decision is makin' America Beautiful on paper, but neglectin' the beauty of its own diversity . By axin' Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list, he's essentially erasin' the voices of those who've fought for equality and justice in our country. And that's somethin' we can't just replace with a shiny new digital pass or a fancy fee structure .

I'm left wonderin' if this is really about makin' national parks more efficient, or if it's just another example of how the system can be used to control and manipulate people's experiences . It's a complex issue, but one thing's for sure: we gotta keep havin' these tough conversations about what freedom means to us all .

omg i'm really disappointed in this decision , i mean i get the need to make changes but axing mlnkjr day from the list is just so not cool . and what's with the new fee structure? $250 for nonresidents? that's just gonna price out a lot of people who already struggle to visit these amazing parks . i think we should find a way to make these passes more accessible, not less . and can we please keep the mlnkjr day vibe alive in some other way? it was always about celebrating community and giving back

I don't get why they're ditching Martin Luther King Jr. Day from free days at national parks . I mean, what's wrong with acknowledging a big part of American history? And now they're making us pay more to visit? It just doesn't add up. Plus, have you seen the new digital passes? So much tech fuss, not enough real progress . I'm all for improving efficiency, but come on, don't mess with the freedom to explore our great parks... and our history

I'm kinda split on this one ... On one hand, I get that making these events free days can be a nice gesture for the general public, especially those from lower-income families. But at the same time, I'm concerned that they're axing some really important ones like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which had such great community engagement vibes ... And now it's just gonna be about getting more people in and making a buck? It feels kinda tone-deaf to me ... On the other hand, I do think the new digital passes could make a big difference for visitors with disabilities or who can't carry a physical card... So yeah, I'm all for trying to improve efficiency, but we gotta consider the impact on these communities too ...

Omg I'm literally FREAKING OUT about this news!!! They're basically erasing history and making a bunch of holidays disappear? Like what even is the point of having national parks if you can't celebrate the people who fought for our rights?! The idea of these digital passes sounds super convenient, but it's just gonna push more people away from the actual experience . I mean, I get that the government wants to make a buck, but this is so selfish! Can we please just preserve some of our country's heritage?!

OMG , I'm so divided about this new policy on free days in national parks ! On one hand, $80 a year is a steal , but on the other hand, what's up with dropping Martin Luther King Jr. Day from the list? It was such an important day for community service and giving back to our nation's parks . I'm also worried about how this new fee structure is gonna affect low-income families who can't afford the $250+ passes for non-residents . And, what's with the digital passes? Is that really gonna make things more efficient or just make us feel like we're stuck in some sci-fi movie?

I think its a big deal that some events celebrating Black American history are getting axed from free days in national parks . Its like, whats the point of having protected areas if we can't even acknowledge our own history and struggles? I get that the Trump admin is trying to streamline things and make it more efficient, but can't they find a way to do it without erasing some of our most important cultural markers? The fact that they're introducing digital passes with higher prices for international visitors also feels like another way to limit access to these spaces . What's the value of preserving our natural beauty if we can't preserve our own identity and heritage?

I'm kinda divided on this one... On the one hand, I think it's awesome that the government is trying to streamline the national park system and make it more accessible to everyone . The digital passes sound super convenient and could really help reduce wait times at the gates.

On the other hand, I do feel bad for all the events like Martin Luther King Jr. Day that got axed from the list . Those days were such an important part of American history and culture, and I can see why civil rights advocates are so upset about their removal.

At the same time, I'm not sure if the new fee structure is entirely fair . $250 for international visitors? That's kinda steep, even for a once-in-a-lifetime experience like visiting Yellowstone or Yosemite . And what about people who can't afford to pay more? Are they just gonna get left behind?

I'm kinda surprised by this move tbh... like, don't get me wrong, making national parks more accessible is awesome, but axing MLK Day from the list feels kinda tone-deaf? I mean, it's a holiday that's all about celebrating equality and freedom, so to see it taken out of the lineup is a bit jarring. And what's up with flag day being added tho? Like, isn't that more of a patriotic thing than an actual federal holiday or something?

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." It seems like the new fee structure is an attempt to "change the ending" by increasing revenue from national parks. But will this be a step forward for all Americans or just a few? Only time will tell if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Ugh, yay , another way for Trump to try and "make America great" while basically telling people of color that their heritage isn't worth celebrating anymore . Like, no thanks, I get it, his birthday is a freebie now , but can we please just keep the important stuff? These national parks are supposed to be for everyone, not just those who have to pay extra . And what's up with axing MLK Day and Juneteenth from the lineup? Like, are these events really that expensive to organize or is Trump just trying to erase some American history . And don't even get me started on the new pass thingy... it sounds like a total headache for tourists . Just make it simple, Mr. President, and stop making a mess of our national parks .

man, it's like, what does it say about us as a society when we can't even agree on how to honor our own history ? I mean, it's not just about the specific days that are cut or kept, but about the values and principles that underlie them. is it really about efficiency and revenue, or is it about control and power?

and what does this say about our concept of freedom, huh? if we can't even agree on how to celebrate our own freedoms and contributions, then how can we truly call ourselves a free people?

i feel like this whole thing is just another symptom of a deeper issue – an issue that's more complex than just politics or policy. it's about who we are as individuals, as communities, and as a nation. do we value equality and justice above all else, or are there other priorities at play?

anyway, i guess what i'm trying to say is that this whole thing has got me thinking, and not just about the practical implications of the new policy... but about who we are and where we're going as a country

I'm low-key concerned about this move ... I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start charging people to visit their own graves or something? It just doesn't feel right that these important days are being axed when they're so closely tied to American history and culture. And let's be real, it's a no-brainer that this is all about the benjamins - I mean, who needs free access to national parks when you can sell digital passes for $250? It's just another example of how politics is being used to line the pockets of those in power .

I'm low-key bummed about this new policy ... I mean, what's wrong with celebrating diversity and inclusivity? It feels like we're moving away from the values that America is supposed to be all about . And now they're taking away free days for entry into national parks? That's not cool, fam . I get that they want to make some changes and boost efficiency, but can't they just find a way to make it work without alienating people from marginalized communities?