The National Park Service has begun cutting jobs as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to shrink the federal government, with dismissals reaching several national parks over the weekend.
At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, two probationary employees were let go, adding to an already strained workforce with at least 30 vacancies. Gettysburg National Military Park and Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton each saw five dismissals. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia was hit harder, with 15 terminations. More cuts are expected in New Jersey and New York.
The Park Service, which employs around 20,000 workers, saw a rise in visitors last year, welcoming 325 million people. Despite this, Trump’s recent executive order has set the stage for large-scale layoffs across federal agencies, with nearly 1,000 probationary employees at the National Park Service set to lose their jobs.
The dismissals are expected to affect park operations, including at Yellowstone, the Appalachian Trail, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The timing raises concerns for Philadelphia, set to play a central role in America’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026. With millions of visitors anticipated, local and state officials have proposed funding for the event, though potential staffing shortages may impact preparations.
Beyond the Park Service, thousands of federal workers have been let go in agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Education. The cuts primarily target probationary employees, who have fewer rights to appeal terminations.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer