The Trump administration is reportedly threatening to sell a quarter-mile parcel on the edge of Yosemite National Park. This proposed sale is seen by some as part of an ongoing agenda to sell off public lands for private profit.
Yosemite, arguably the world's first national park, was established in 1864 when Abraham Lincoln signed a bill stating its premises "shall be held for public use, resort, and recreation; shall be inalienable for all time."
Reports indicate a significant shift in funding within the National Park Service. Spending on projects in park regions outside the Washington area decreased by $854 million, or 68%, in the first eight and a half months of fiscal year 2026, compared with the full prior fiscal year. During the same period, spending around Washington increased by approximately $100 million.
The Trump administration also proposes further reductions to the number of Park Service employees, following a 24% reduction in 2025.