Trump Dismisses Entire Presidio Trust Board

Move follows his labeling of the San Francisco park agency as wasteful

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:45pm by

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A serene, painterly depiction of the Presidio Gate in San Francisco, with the iconic arch framed by warm sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of nostalgia and uncertainty about the park's future.The dismissal of the Presidio Trust board casts uncertainty over the future of this historic San Francisco landmark.San Francisco Today

President Trump has removed all six presidentially-appointed board members of the Presidio Trust, the federal corporation that manages the 1,500-acre former Army post-turned-national park in San Francisco. The trustees, who were Biden appointees, were notified last week that their terms are over, despite the Trust's claims that it has been financially self-sufficient since 2013 and generated record revenue in 2024.

Why it matters

The Presidio Trust has been viewed as a successful model for urban parks, generating revenue through its hotel, leasing, and other commercial operations without relying on federal appropriations. Trump's move to dismiss the entire board suggests he is intent on scaling back or restructuring the agency, despite its financial self-sufficiency.

The details

The six board members who were dismissed include Chair Mark Buell, Vice Chair Chuck Collins, Lenore "Leni" Eccles, Patsy Ishiyama, Bonnie LePard, and Nicola Minor. Three of them had terms that expired last May, while the other three were set to serve until May 2027. The Trust says it has not yet received word on replacements for the board.

  • The six board members were notified last week that their terms are over.
  • Three of the board members had terms that expired in May 2025.
  • The other three board members were set to serve until May 2027.

The players

Presidio Trust

The federal corporation that manages the 1,500-acre former Army post-turned-national park in San Francisco.

Mark Buell

The former Chair of the Presidio Trust board.

Chuck Collins

The former Vice Chair of the Presidio Trust board.

Nancy Pelosi

The Speaker Emerita of the House of Representatives, who was key in establishing the Presidio Trust.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who labeled the Presidio Trust as an example of federal "waste and abuse" and called for it to be cut back.

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What they’re saying

“The dismissals are "disappointing" and "unfortunate.”

— Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita

“The Presidio has been a financially solid model for urban parks.”

— Presidio Trust board members

What’s next

The Presidio Trust says it has not yet received word on replacements for the dismissed board members. It remains to be seen how Trump's appointees will approach the management and direction of the agency.

The takeaway

Trump's decision to dismiss the entire Presidio Trust board suggests he is intent on restructuring or scaling back the agency, despite its financial self-sufficiency and status as a successful model for urban parks. The move raises questions about the future direction of the Presidio and the potential political motivations behind Trump's actions.