National Park Service Diverts $67 Million in Fees to Trump's D.C. Projects Before July 4
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 27
National Park Service Diverts $67 Million in Fees to Trump's D.C. Projects Before July 4
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 27
$67 million in national park entrance fees is being used to fund President Trump's Washington beautification push, including money for projects not previously disclosed.
Nearly $60 million is going to repairs on nine ornamental fountains, while another $7 million will help renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a $13.1 million project.
Trump wants the work finished by July 4, when the U.S. marks the 250th anniversary of independence, tying the spending to his broader effort to remake the capital.
Conservation groups say the shift favors cosmetic upgrades in Washington over urgent repairs elsewhere in the park system, where long-standing backlogs include roads and water infrastructure.
Is a proposed $10B D.C. fund for beautification diverting critical resources from preserving America's national park system?
How did a fountain repair contract jump to $17.4 million without competitive bids as park budgets face drastic cuts?