### National Parks Pass Policy Faces Backlash Over Trump's Image The National Park Service (NPS) has recently come under fire for its decision to feature President Donald Trump's image on the 2026 "America the Beautiful" park passes, a departure from the traditional nature-themed designs. This change has ignited a wave of protests, including sticker campaigns aimed at covering Trump's likeness. In response, the NPS has clarified that any passes altered in this manner will be voided, leading to further controversy and even a lawsuit from a conservation group seeking to restore the original Glacier Park image [https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/national-parks-pass-policy-sparks-backlash-over-coverage-of-trumps-image.html][https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-park-service-vows-void-2026-passes-altered-cover-trumps-image-1769867]. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Background of the Policy Change** - The NPS has opted to include Trump's image on the 2026 park passes, which has not been well received by many park visitors [https://www.knkx.org/2026-01-09/national-park-updates-guidelines-to-stop-visitors-defacing-trump-picture-on-pass]. 2. **Public Reaction** - The decision has led to a backlash, with many individuals planning to use stickers to cover Trump's face on the passes, prompting the NPS to announce that such alterations would result in the passes being voided [https://www.wsiu.org/2026-01-09/national-park-updates-guidelines-to-stop-visitors-defacing-trump-picture-on-pass]. 3. **Legal Implications** - A conservation group has filed a lawsuit in response to the policy, aiming to restore the original Glacier Park image that was replaced by Trump's likeness [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-park-service-vows-void-2026-passes-altered-cover-trumps-image-1769867]. 4. **Official Guidelines** - The NPS has updated its guidelines to explicitly state that any passes with stickers or other coverings over Trump's image will be considered invalid [https://www.alternet.org/trump-national-parks-passes]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Public Sentiment**: The backlash against the inclusion of Trump's image has been significant, with many park visitors expressing their discontent through social media and public protests. - **Legal Actions**: The lawsuit filed by the conservation group highlights the legal ramifications of the NPS's decision, indicating that the issue may escalate further if not addressed [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-park-service-vows-void-2026-passes-altered-cover-trumps-image-1769867]. - **NPS Guidelines**: The NPS's clear stance on voiding altered passes demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the pass design, despite public opposition [https://www.knkx.org/2026-01-09/national-park-updates-guidelines-to-stop-visitors-defacing-trump-picture-on-pass]. ### Conclusion and Key Takeaways In summary, the National Park Service's decision to feature President Trump's image on the 2026 park passes has sparked significant backlash, leading to protests and legal challenges. 1. **Policy Change**: The inclusion of Trump's image has been met with widespread disapproval. 2. **Public Response**: Many visitors are resorting to sticker protests, prompting the NPS to declare such passes void. 3. **Legal Challenges**: A conservation group has initiated a lawsuit to contest the policy. 4. **NPS Guidelines**: The NPS has reinforced its guidelines to prevent alterations to the passes. **Overall**, the situation reflects a deep divide in public opinion regarding the representation of political figures in national symbols, and it remains to be seen how the NPS will navigate these challenges moving forward [https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/national-parks-pass-policy-sparks-backlash-over-coverage-of-trumps-image.html][https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/national-park-service-vows-void-2026-passes-altered-cover-trumps-image-1769867].