Trump Fires Presidio Trust Board, But Officials Say Park Will Run Normally

The White House has not yet announced new appointees to the Presidio Trust board.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:09pm by

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A serene, nostalgic painting of the Presidio Gate in San Francisco, with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge visible in the background. The gate is bathed in warm, golden light, creating a sense of timeless tranquility despite the political changes affecting the park's administration.The historic Presidio Gate, a symbol of the iconic national park, stands resolute despite changes to the site's governing board.San Francisco Today

The Trump administration has fired all six members of the Presidio Trust board, which manages the historic 1,500-acre national park site in San Francisco. However, officials say the Presidio will continue to operate normally, as the trust is financially independent and does not rely on federal funding.

Why it matters

The Presidio Trust has been a target of the Trump administration, which has sought to shrink federal agencies it deems unnecessary. However, the Presidio is self-sustaining and does not require regular appropriations from Congress, so the board firings are unlikely to significantly impact the park's operations.

The details

The Presidio Trust was formed by Congress in 1996 to manage and protect the former Army base that now makes up the Presidio national park. While the White House has not yet announced new appointees, officials say the park will continue to run normally, as the trust is financially independent and does not rely on federal funding for its operations.

  • The terms of three Presidio Trust board members had expired nearly a year ago.
  • Trump issued an executive order in February 2025 calling for the elimination of non-statutory operations at the Presidio Trust and other agencies.

The players

Presidio Trust

The government corporation formed by Congress in 1996 to manage and protect the historic 1,500-acre Presidio national park site in San Francisco.

Mark Buell

Former chair of the Presidio Trust board, who expressed appreciation for his time serving on the board.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who fired all six members of the Presidio Trust board as part of his efforts to shrink federal agencies.

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What they’re saying

“We've expected a board transition for a year, as the board is appointed by the President. The terms of three of our board members had expired nearly a year ago, and we fully anticipated a change in the board around this time.”

— Presidio Trust, Statement

“It has been a passion and a pleasure to serve on the board of the Presidio Trust. The Presidio is the most successful example of a Post to Park conversion in the country and should serve as a model for others.”

— Mark Buell, Former Presidio Trust Board Chair

What’s next

The White House has not yet announced new appointees to the Presidio Trust board.

The takeaway

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to shrink federal agencies, the Presidio Trust's financial independence means the park will continue to operate normally even after the firing of its entire board. This highlights how some government entities can maintain their mission and operations without relying on direct federal funding.