New Trump-Era Rules Restrict National Park Communications

Sweeping new guidance limits media access, social media posts, and public-facing content across the National Park Service.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Trump administration has introduced a 'media reporting tool' that will vet every new National Park Service exhibit and sign to verify that the content celebrates America. The approval process for new interpretative media projects and public-facing content has been dramatically restricted, with most Park Service employees now needing Interior Department permission to speak with the media or post on social media. Park insiders and nonprofit leaders say the new policies are part of a broad attempt to control national narratives by silencing critical voices.

Why it matters

The new restrictions on national park communications raise concerns about transparency, public access to information, and the ability of park employees and partners to share stories that don't align with the administration's preferred narratives. Critics argue the policies threaten the democratic principles of free speech and a free press.

The details

The new 'media reporting tool' will 'ensure that all public-facing content focuses on 'the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people or, with respect to natural features, the beauty, abundance, and grandeur of the American landscape.' Most Park Service employees now need Interior Department approval to speak with the media or post on social media, with 'high-risk' content requiring Washington-level sign-off. A 'tiger team' is creating an 'intake form' for all digital content, effectively pausing most web and social media updates.

  • On Feb. 4, the new 'media reporting tool' was introduced in an internal communications update.
  • In December 2025, sweeping new guidance on communicating with the media, interacting with the public, and updating park webpages was delivered to the Park Service.
  • In May 2025, hundreds of Park Service public affairs specialists were rolled into the Interior Department.

The players

Katie Martin

The Department of the Interior's communications director.

Jonathan Jarvis

Former National Park Service Director who worked for the agency for 40 years.

Frank Lands

National Park Service Deputy Director who issued the new communications guidance.

Jim Lake

Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the Department of the Interior.

Jesse Chakrin

Executive director of the Fund for People in Parks, a nonprofit partner of the national parks.

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What they’re saying

“This is about establishing clear lines of responsibility, not restricting speech or adding new layers of approval. The goal is effective communication, not control.”

— Katie Martin, Department of the Interior Communications Director (sfgate.com)

“Everything has to be approved before we speak. Everything.”

— Anonymous Park Service communications employee (sfgate.com)

“It's unprecedented and a mess.”

— Jonathan Jarvis, Former National Park Service Director (sfgate.com)

“We're now making it so a consolidated communications person needs to touch and approve every news release and social media post, and I think that will elevate the quality, especially for smaller units, and help with messaging alignment across the Park Service. So that's good. But the negative becomes, will it turn into micromanagement? Are we taking away a level of autonomy that should be given to park superintendents or park staff to run their communications the way they want to?”

— Anonymous Park Service communications employee (sfgate.com)

“We all do what we do because we love it so much. We believe in the work. And to now be like, well, we're just here to open the visitor center and tell people what trails to hike and clean the bathrooms, and that's it. We can't share these places with people the way we used to, and it's really upsetting.”

— Anonymous Park Service communications employee (sfgate.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The new restrictions on national park communications exemplify the Trump administration's broader efforts to control the nation's narratives and silence critical voices, raising concerns about transparency, public access to information, and the ability of park employees and partners to share stories that don't align with the administration's preferred version of history and America's 'greatness.'