National Park Service drops Free Admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth While Adding Trump’s Birthday

December 12, 2025

The National Park Service has revised its free admission days for 2026, adding President Trump's birthday (June 14, which coincides with Flag Day) while removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list. Civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the changes as racially motivated and part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to diminish recognition of civil rights history.

Who is affected

U.S. residents visiting national parks
Community groups that perform volunteer service projects on MLK Day
International visitors (facing higher admission fees)
Civil rights advocates and organizations like the NAACP and National Parks Conservation Association
Black Americans whose civil rights history is being de-emphasized
Democratic lawmakers objecting to the policy

What action is being taken

The National Park Service is implementing a new free admission policy effective January 1, 2026
The Park Service is raising admission fees for international visitors
The Trump administration is eliminating diversity programs across the federal government
Civil rights leaders and Democratic lawmakers are voicing opposition to the changes

Why it matters

This policy change is significant because it removes recognition of two major civil rights holidays—MLK Day and Juneteenth—that commemorate Black Americans' struggle for freedom and equality. The elimination of MLK Day particularly impacts community service traditions, as volunteer groups have used the free admission day to perform park cleanup projects. The changes symbolize a broader shift in how the federal government acknowledges America's civil rights history while simultaneously elevating Trump's personal brand, raising concerns about the erasure of important historical narratives and the politicization of national parks.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint