National park gift shops are ordered to purge bias-driven DEI and woke merchandise

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National park gift shops are ordered to purge bias-driven DEI and woke merchandise

Interior Department memo gives parks until Dec. 19 to remove woke, DEI retail items from gift shops

Ashley J. DiMella Fox News

Published

December 12, 2025 2:49pm EST

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As the Trump administration continues to expand its crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), America's national parks are taking a second look at the merchandise they sell.

A memo sent out by the Department of Interior on Nov. 25 reiterates Sec. Doug Burgum’s Order 3416, which instructs the implementation of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on eliminating diversity-related programs and addressing gender ideology.

National Park Service (NPS) units are instructed to make sure all retail items comply by Dec. 19.

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The secretary’s order follows the Executive Order (EO), titled "Ending DEI Programs and Gender Ideology Extremism," signed by President Trump.

An Interior Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that to comply with this order, NPS is conducting a review of the retail items it sells.

The Department of Interior has ordered America's national parks to remove non-compliant merchandise as part of the Trump administration's effort to eliminate DEI programs. (AP Photo/Megan Varner)

"The goal is to keep national parks focused on their core mission: preserving natural and cultural resources for the benefit of all Americans," said the spokesperson.

"If any items are found to be inconsistent with the Order, they are being removed from sale."

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Retail items are considered "public-facing content," making them subject to the order.

If items are identified as "non-compliant," they "must be removed from sale immediately," the memo says.

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"The goal is to keep national parks focused on their core mission: preserving natural and cultural resources for the benefit of all Americans," said a spokesperson. (AP Photo/Megan Varner)

Many NPS gift shops are located in visitor centers, which are common in major parks. Some can be found in smaller or remote parks.

Most shops are run by nonprofit partners of the NPS, with funds benefiting visitors and the parks.

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Over 330 million people visited America's national parks in 2024, according to the NPS.

Bird flying over Yosemite National park, California, USA

Over 330 million people visited America's national parks in 2024. (iStock)

The Department of the Interior recently announced the launch of "America the Beautiful passes," offering digital and physical passes to access our nation’s most prized treasures.

The passes are intended to put "American families first" by implementing a new resident-focused fee beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

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Americans can purchase annual passes for $80. Specials are being offered for seniors, allowing them to purchase a $20 annual pass or a lifetime pass for $80.

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Free passes are offered to miliary members, veterans and Americans with permanent disabilities.

Through the program Every Kid Outdoors, all U.S. fourth-grade students can get a free pass for their school year as well.

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

National park gift shops are ordered to purge bias-driven DEI and woke merchandise