https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7l4n89lr1oThe US National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days.The move is part of President Donald Trump's "modernisation" of the park service, which, beginning in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favour American citizens over foreign visitors, following a July executive order from Trump.In addition to removing the two holidays that celebrate civil rights leader MLK Jr and the end of slavery in the US, the agency is adding Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day.People who are not US citizens will still have to pay fees on the fee-free dates, the NPS said.For the 2026 calendar year, US residents will be granted free access to national parks on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday and Veteran's Day.Previously, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth were both deemed fee-free entry days by the Biden administration.Under the Trump administration's new rules, US residents will continue to pay $80 (£60) for an annual park service pass.But for non-residents, the cost will rise from $80 to to $250, the Department of the Interior, which oversees the park service, announced last month. Those without a pass will now pay $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most visited parks."President Trump's leadership always puts American families first," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
"These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," Burgum's statement continued.In May, the department estimated in its budget proposal for 2026 fiscal year that surcharges for foreign visitors would bring in more than $90 million per year.This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted Juneteenth and MLK Jr Day.On his first day in office this year, Trump issued an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes from federal agencies, which led many agencies to bar celebrations of holidays seen as DEI-related, including MLK Jr Day and Juneteenth. However, the two dates remain national holidays.In June, the Trump administration held a military parade in Washington DC to celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary, which also happened to fall on both Flag Day and Trump's birthday.The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
As if we didn't need more proof that trump is racist
>>1463307>In addition to removing the two holidays that celebrate civil rights leader MLK Jr and the end of slavery in the US, the agency is adding Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day.God, he's just such a sack of shit.
>>1463343You know if he could do it, trump would remove both MLK and Juneteethe as federal holidays and make his birthday one.
>>1463343When Newscum wins in 2028 he can charge double on flag Day
>>1463307>>1463377Why not just make it affordable to visit national parks, even for foreign tourists?
>>1463461Because Trump said affordability is a leftist hoax, therefore they can't make anything affordable.
>>1463500So Rightoids are actually going with the platform>You will own nothing and be miserableThey're going to have to just outright rig and steal the midterms with that platform.
>>1463527That's the plan. Alternatively Trump just doesn't give a shit about elections and is going to keep ruling as he is. Not like he cares about congress anyway.
>>1463610Or the Republicans in congress will do anything
>>1463610Are we ready for the headline "Supreme Court confirms executive branch has no constitutional duty to honor presidential elections"?
Juneteenth is made-up holiday
