A national park pass lawsuit is taking aim at the Trump administration’s plan to put President Donald Trump’s image on the 2026 “America the Beautiful” annual pass, with an environmental group asking a federal judge to block the redesign.
Lawsuit challenges legal compliance
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., arguing that the Interior Department violated federal law by replacing a contest-winning photo of Glacier National Park with a close-up portrait of Trump. The group says the change breaks long-standing rules governing how the annual pass is designed and sold.
Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the annual pass must feature the winning image from a public photo contest hosted by the National Park Foundation. This year’s winning photograph, selected in June, shows mountain peaks and alpine waters in Montana’s Glacier National Park.
According to the complaint, the Interior Department instead chose to feature portraits of Trump and George Washington on the primary 2026 “Resident” pass, while shifting the Glacier image to a newly created “Nonresident” version. The lawsuit argues that federal law does not allow the agency to create new national pass categories without congressional approval.
Designs and past precedent
Designs included in the court filing show both the Glacier photograph and the proposed 2026 pass artwork. The filing also includes images of the previous 12 annual passes, all of which featured landscapes or wildlife rather than presidents.
The Interior Department unveiled the redesign last month as part of what it called “the most significant modernization of national park access in decades.” The announcement included digital passes, updated artwork, and new pricing set to begin January 1, 2026.
Under the plan, U.S. residents would continue to pay $80 for an annual pass, while non-residents would pay $250. The department also announced a $100 per-person fee for non-resident visitors entering 11 marquee national parks without a pass.
Criticism from the environmental group
The lawsuit says the Interior Department did not explain why it replaced the contest-winning photo on the main pass. It asks the court to set aside the redesign and block distribution of the 2026 passes until the agency follows the law.
In announcing the legal challenge, the Center for Biological Diversity sharply criticized the decision. “America the Beautiful means wild rivers and majestic mountains, not a headshot of a bloated, fragile, attention-seeking ego,” the group said.
Kieran Suckling, the organization’s executive director, also took aim at the redesign. “The national parks are not a personal branding opportunity,” he said. “They’re the pride and joy of the American people.”
Changes to admission days and fees
The lawsuit names Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and the Department of Agriculture as defendants.
The case also challenges changes to free-admission days at national parks. As part of the overhaul, the Interior Department ended free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, while adding June 14—which is both Flag Day and Trump’s birthday. The department said the changes were part of efforts to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the administration’s actions, saying, “Instead of filing frivolous lawsuits, this leftist group should be thanking President Trump for enhancing opportunities for Americans to enjoy our beautiful national parks.”
The Interior Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, “We will not comment on pending litigation,” and referred questions to the Department of Justice.
The lawsuit comes as the administration moves ahead with broader changes to national park fees and access, including higher prices for international visitors under an “America-first” pricing policy announced earlier this year.
Share your opinion
How do you feel about this issue? Should living politicians’ images be put on park passes? Check out our poll and share your thoughts.
RELATED
- National parks to require photo ID for visitors 16 and up
- It’s official: Foreign visitors will pay more to visit national parks
- National Parks update fees, hike those for nonresidents
- Poll finds 7 in 10 Americans want to protect national parks from budget cuts
- Do you have a National Parks, America the Beautiful, pass?
RVT1240b
I WILL NOT buy the pass if Trump picture is on the Pass! Don’t need his kind of picture on anything.
I went and got my senior pass before he got his way
Easy… duct tape. Fixes everthing!
Let me guess…. you would buy one with a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia tho. LOL.🤣🤣🤣
I just wish that it was DJT’s mugshot on the card…. you know, the one he proudly hangs in the hall outside his office…. that is to say, the Oval Office…. you know, where the President of the United States works…. after being elected….. in a landslide….. 🤣🤣hahahaha. Winning.🤣🤣🤣
I agree wholeheartedly Cancelproof!! These lefties want millions of undocumented illegals destroying our country. President Trump has done things regardless of consequences more so than any other President ever to bring this country back on even keel. These thumbsdowners want to be like Europe and absolutely lose control so the left can bilk billions of dollars from the taxpayers and hardworking people of this country to fund their programs all geared to lining their pockets (right side too) and fund their vote buying machine. These peaceful individuals on the left are okay with their compatriots murdering those on the right.
LLPT: Agreed and Thanks. I wear thumbs downs as tiny badges of honor. Big shoulders, strong back.
✌️😎
I,too, stand with Cancelproof!
and our wonderful President!
Me three!
Agreed! Too many haters out there. Where was the leftist shouting “gun control” when Trump got shot in the ear??? Never heard a peep out of a one of them. Double Standards Galore!
I would prefer a picture of the Declaration Of Independence,
the declaration which does not represent “unity and love and respect”
as so ignorantly stated by the current POTUS, but in fact represents officially declaring separation from Great Britain, asserting the right to self-governance, and establishing foundational principles like “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and a call for liberty and equality. If POTUS cannot understand these words, so too may 50+% of US voters. With this, it would behoove the USA to better educate our citizens (and POTUS) through a pic and a link vs: providing “another” picture of an ego-centric man with a cratering approval rating.
Ego Eccentric. How about Biden – Said he was the best president since FDR?? HA.. The only thing he did big was be the biggest spending president in the history of the country – the national debt rose over a Trillion every 6 months of his 4 years. What do we have to show for it?? MORE DEBT!
Since it is a pass into our National Parks I think it should showcase some of our wonderful landscapes and wildlife of the Parks.
I’m torn on this one. I like the tradition of the photo contest but with 2026 being America 250, I am OK with diverging from that tradition for a Single year. However, IMHO, I would prefer John Muir,Teddy Rosevelt and U.S.Grant depicted for the 250 year card, for reasons more closely related to the National Park System.
😎✌️
Even though Muir was a great advocate for conservation, he has been branded as a racist by the very organization he founded: the Sierra Club. So, he probably wouldn’t be a candidate. If any President’s picture would be used, my vote would go to Teddy. A “conservative” in every way…including the conservation of nature. 👍
I tend to agree, and that Teddy would be my first choice also.
✌️😎
Agreed also. I would actually like to see Mt Rushmore on this one.
4 presidents for the price of one and a NP. Great choice and I concur.
A lot of DTS going on within the parks system. I’m not sure how I feel about the pictures, I couldn’t tell you what the heck is on my pass. It’s not like I look at it every day. I only look at it every couple of years if that and just enough to hand it to the park ranger. I believe it’s a frivolous lawsuit.
What is DTS?
Well, I imagine the “DT” part stands for “Donald Trump”…
TDS….Trump Derangement Syndrome.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-meaningful-life/202409/the-paradox-of-trump-derangement-syndrome
Trump’s Derangement Syndrome. Missed 1 letter
Makes me mad, showcase our beautiful country not any president.
Washington is on the dollar and that is enough…
He’s like a dog with fire hydrants and lampposts. Need to leave his mark on everything.
lol
I’m getting fairly tired of this man trying to brand everything America with either his name or image. America is for the American people, not one, egotistical individual.
Another reason environmentalists are losing their appeal if not their focus. But if it makes liberals mad, then I am OK with it.
This is not a case of liberal or conservative. It is a matter of dishonoring a long-standing and beloved tradition. The park service is not about presidents present or past. It is about the National Parks.
While I don’t disagree, if the 250th anniversary had occurred during most any other President’s term and the first and then current President’s picture was planned, nothing would have been said by anyone. It’s only a big deal because it’s Trump…and probably also because a conservative administration is giving the Center for Animal Rightist Diversity a major headache by not kneeling before them like the last administration did.
Whoa down there Mikal, you forgot to lead that comment with the obligatory “Land Acknowledgement”. C’mon Man.
😎✌️
I thought the same thing. If it were Obama or Biden, it wouldn’t be an issue.
Yes, it would! Look at how the response is going in the poll attached to this article. More than 90% of our readers, who we know lean right, believe a living politician’s photo on this sort of thing is wrong.
That poll was taken AFTER Trumps name was associated with it. Had the poll been taken beforehand, and read something like We’re considering using the image of relevant presidents, and key historical figures, on the face of the pass. Would you support this?” I suspect the results would have been much different.
Not quite Chuck… The poll context is Trump’s face being on the card. If it showed Obama, the poll would change.
BTW, if you already know that most of your readers “lean right” why doesn’t your publication? Seems like your support would increase. No?
Bob, the poll was about a “living politicians” likeness being on the pass, not an individual politician. More than 90 percent of our readers said no.
Our publication does its best to lean toward “common sense,” not left or right. RVtravel.com was founded 25 years ago to provide news and information to RVers, and we toss “entertainment” into the mix. It was not founded as a political mouthpiece, which of course is the trend now, and the most profitable. We do not produce it to please you, Sir, but to inform all RVers, whether left or right or smack dab in the middle. What a novel idea, huh?
It’s not Obama or Biden. They are more humble and less egotistical. They didn’t try to put their pictures on coins or their names on the Kennedy Center- or the Peace Center either. I think Trump is making a fool of himself- and I think as soon as he is gone, we will get rid of his name and picture on everything.
BO or Sleepy Joe less egotistical? That’s laughable. Smh.
Our 2 worst presidents.
For sure.
Liberals are Americans, just like you. We have a two-party system because we can choose and display what to believe. Not everyone believes as you do, Uncle Swags. Your statement is ignorant. If a liberal said the same of conservatives, he/she would also be ignorant. Please do not comment again if this is an example of your intelligence.
I kind of agree with swags in as much as the little things are distracting the Libs, thereby allowing the Conservatives to accomplish big things. The strategy of distraction is working I think allowing for the 80/20 issues to get fixed. The libs are focusing on the distractions. Just an opinion but that’s how I see it too.
The passes are about highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of our natural resources and NOT a person who thinks his image and name should be on everything. Thankfully we got our Senior passes years ago with a beautiful picture on it.
The survey would have been more appropriate if it added a third choice of “I don’t care, it makes no difference to me. I am not going to waste my time worrying about it “, which is what I would have chosen.
I don’t see a problem with it. My card stays most of the time in my wallet. So who cares! More power to Trump!
This coming from a man who is basically trying to destroy the NPS.
Laying off and firing workers, selling the land to private developers, allowing oil and gas drilling, and much more, all to satisfy his overblown EGO.
Yikes! Thank you, Russ and Tiña! Very glad that my pass is from the past. Have a great day and safe travels!
Anything to hate on Trump. Seems petty to even bring it up. I think it’s quite fitting actually.
Ah, The Center for Biological Diversity: one of the largest animal rights organizations in the nation fighting to take away hunting, fishing, sportsman’s and sportswomen’s rights and jabbing state natural resources departments draining scarce funds through their continual frivolous lawsuits day in and day out because they think they know better than state wildlife biologists.
While I’m a conservative, I’m not really keen on having a president’s face on the card. Nothing I would lose sleep over though. 🥱 Typical Russ & Tina stuff just meant to stir something up.
Hi, Mikal. Russ and Tiña were given the assignment to report on this federal lawsuit that was filed pertaining to national parks because it would be of interest to a lot of our readers. Why do you insist on getting on their case for doing their job, i.e., reporting the news (as requested)? You’d better mark it on your calendar to jump all over them when they report on how the lawsuit turns out. I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again. Maybe on stories like this we should just put “RV Travel” as the byline, then you wouldn’t know who to “blame” for reporting the news (although I’m sure you would blame Russ and Tiña). Sheesh.🙄 –Diane
What if Biden’s photo was on the pass? Or Obama’s? Or Nixon’s? Would that be okay?
Not a binary choice because Obama, Nixon and Biden were not president on America 250, only DJT but hypothetically let’s say any of those 3 were POTUS for America 250. Conservatives would simply buy the card and roll their eyes a little versus the absolutely deranged position posited in the very first comment, very similar to many other comments. It is pure derangement and TDS has 100% factually become a diagnosable condition in the psychiatric community. PHDs are writing books about the condition.
Personally, I don’t think DJT should be on the card and would have preferred Teddy Roosevelt for obvious reasons.
Congrats on the lifetime achievement Chuck.
✌️😎
NO! The pass is for the PEOPLE!!
My Military Lifetime Pass has a picture of a mountain range.
NO PEOPLE on the PASS.
No, Mikal. That is unfair to say about Russ and Tiña. They report more news that “stirs the pot” than our other writers just by the nature of the subject matter. I do not believe their intent is to anger the RVtravel.com readership. But, frankly, it doesn’t take much to do that these days when so many people, educated and ignorant, believe they have the answers and others do not.
The power grab America is witnessing must be stopped at any and all costs.
What are you even talking about? What power has the country ceded to DJT? Please Ron, name one thing that the nation has ceded or has been taken from the citizens by force or passivity. Just one, name one very small or very large freedom or right which has been removed from our constitution. Just one, name one.
The East Wing of the White House.
Ahhhhhh right, that power we derive from that constitutionally protected freedom we call the East Wing.
Thank you for making my point.
✌️😎
Tom: If you are referring to the ballroom addition – you would do well to do some research on the White House and all the changes which have been made and those which should have been made over the years. The addition of the ballroom is long overdue for our country to host the leaders of the world. Formerly, large events where – are – held in large tents with no floors on the White House lawn! Rainy day? Classy operation – right? Additionally, the President and several large investors which he gathered are paying the bill for the ballroom! You would be well to write the President a thank you note for the gift to our country
Amen.
The power and policies were chosen by the people.
Another sign of his narcissism.
I don’t think a living President should have their name or picture on any government building or document. Currently those that should not be are Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden or Trump.
It’s a card.
A piece of plastic that you show at the gate. Nothing more.
They can print whatever their lil’ hearts desire as long as the thing does what I bought it to do. It could have a reproduction of a 2nd grader’s interpretation of a goat or a photo of a can of Campbell’s tomato soup, I seriously don’t care.
Mine has some flowers on it. It’s ugly. But I rarely look at it as it sits in my wallet until I need to show it.
Y’all just love to stir the political pot don’t you? What does it have to do with the RV lifestyle? Typical left coast media. Anything for a story.
Dan, “left coast media?” Please! You ask what this has to do with the RV lifestyle? Plenty. RVers are heavy users of our national parks and very much interested in news about them.
That looks like a mug shot of a convicted felon. I don’t mean Washington.
Scenery is the best for parks.
Where is the option for “who cares?” There are far more important things than something this insignificant. Life is short. If you don’t like it there will be another image next year.
👍
Thankfully I have a senior lifetime pass and if DJT picture was on my card I’d burn the card
Pompous jerk
No you wouldn’t.
89% NO
11% YES
Kinda obvious isn’t it?
Putting a temporary politicians face on our passes is nonsense, Almost ALL politicians do NOT deserve being celebrated this way.
Perhaps on toilets and restrooms, dumpsters and trash cans.
Well shoot, my comment was tossed, it was quite mellow compared what I wanted to say..
You’ve read the Seattle Times and the column they posted. Oh well at least MOST everyone here has an I.Q. over 47……..We are not losers…
Sorry, David. I agreed with your comment and left it, but then someone replied with a nasty remark so I deleted both of them before it turned into a free-for-all. (And I would have gotten a stern reminder that we’re not supposed to allow that here, and for good reason.) Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Darn it, now I definitely want to read David’s comment.
✌️😎
Not goin’ there.😉 Have a great day, CP. 😀 –Diane
Sure, put the mugshot of him on the card. This way, when one drives across our beautiful country and looks out and, if one can see through the smog, sees oil derricks, strip mines, clear cut mountain sides ect. All you have to do is pull out the card, look at the picture and give thanks!!!
Only monarchs and dictators push their image onto non-political government publications. The United States of America has no such rulers.
Acts like one though.
Yet
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Talk about litter in the parks. Don’t worry…you can just redact it
This is GREAT!!!
Another FANTASTIC idea to drive the left MAD!
I wonder who comes up with the great ideas!
Funny, Funny Funny!
Bull, look at the results of the poll: More than 9 out of 10 readers believe no living politician’s photo should be on the pass. And our readership, we know, leans heavily right. So it’s not just those on the left who object, it’s those on the right as well.
You didn’t have a “Don’t care” selection. Bad poll.
Lighting the lefts hair on fire….again.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Now he wants to rename the Kennedy Center to Trump Center. WHY? From a person who is basically destroying our country to satisfy his own EGO!
Just another way to ERASE History.
Next will be renaming the White House to Trump Castle. He’s already started this with the Trump Ballroom. A illegal move.
Illegal move? Please cite the law and precedent. Obviously you have done the research given your statement so easy, just share the case law or statute.
Bob: The President was not aware of the name change or addition to the Kennedy center. The decision was made by the board of directors on their own. Please get your facts straight – even the media covered that – correctly, believe it or not!
Yes, the board of directors Trump appointed and who put him in charge of it now.
Yes, the board of directors that recognized that the Kennedy Center was bankrupt and in its last legs but for the generous donations of Trump and secured by Trump. Yup, that board….. bestowing honor to someone who earned honor.
If the lawsuit survives all they will do is put 1 president in one corner and another in another corner of the one original proposed! If it bothers you just put tape over it. I don’t see a big win here.
National Park scenery should be on the National Parks Pass – all versions – forever and ever.
Don’t really care one way or the other but get tired of my taxes going to frivolous stuff that doesn’t really amount to a hill of beans
Lemons into lemonade; Trump on the pass, pass in my wallet, wallet in the back pocket; can’t get much closer to my butt!
No! The laws need to be followed or what’s the use of them? The article states Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the annual pass must feature the winning image from a public photo contest hosted by the National Park Foundation. If the people want to change the law, then amend it through legal Congressional procedures. It seems that is the right thing to do.
Could not agree more. All laws need to be followed. 100% illegal alien removal. If congress doesnt the laws they voted for, change them but until then, follow them. That chubby loser judge in Wisconsin just got found guilty and now she meeds to go to jail.
Ever notice these politically charged articles only show up on the weekends?
Same authors too.
SO what that he is the president seated while we celebrate the National Park system!! 250 years! Of ALL of the Presidents to be possible choices on this card,it should ONLY be Teddy Roosevelt!
DJT has done the most harm to our (should be protected) public lands!
Fake news.
In many states, the current Governor’s picture is on a lot of things including pamphlets for recreation and camping. Some even have their pictures or names on signs along major highways.It’s no big deal to me.
The only person or people doing harm to our National Parks are the ones leaving trash and poop all over the land. PDJT does not strike me as a camper, so you can’t blame him for the complete disregard for nature. Maybe he’s actually deporting those that leave their trash behind.
Why waste our tax $ on a frivolous lawsuit. I agree that sitting or live presidents should not have their likeness on any forms but throwing away tax $ only limits what you already have as available funds.