President Trump issued an executive order to significantly cut the Presidio Trust, which manages the Presidio of San Francisco, a vital national park. The order labeled the Trust and three other agencies as “unnecessary,” requiring them to minimize their operations and personnel. Established in 1996, the Presidio Trust oversees the historic park, which features trails, museums, and recreational facilities. Critics, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a key role in its creation, are concerned about potential repercussions. Trump’s action reflects ongoing efforts to reduce government spending and reorganize federal entities, affecting budget allocations and existing funding for the Presidio.
President Trump has taken action to significantly reduce the scope of the Presidio Trust, the federal body responsible for managing the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park situated at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and one of the city’s most beloved public areas, through an executive order released Wednesday evening.
The executive order emphasizes a “dramatic” reduction in the size of the federal government, describing the Presidio Trust as an “unnecessary governmental entity.” In addition, the order has implications for three other organizations—the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace—mandating a reduction in their operations and staff “to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
Founded by Congress in 1996, the Presidio Trust was created to manage the Presidio, a sprawling 1,500-acre area that once served as a military base and now features hiking routes, museums, schools, campgrounds, eateries, a golf course, and a hotel, as detailed on its website. Oversight of the park is also supported by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit organization.
The trust is governed by a board of directors, with six members appointed by the president, and includes a team of ecologists, building managers, utility personnel, tech experts, and more.
The specific impact of the executive order on the park remains unclear. The Presidio Trust had not responded to a request for comment early Thursday.
Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and a consistent critic of Mr. Trump, was instrumental in establishing the trust, and the park lies within her congressional district. Ms. Pelosi’s office informed The San Francisco Standard that it is currently assessing the order.
“The Presidio Trust Act was enacted in a bipartisan manner in 1996 when Republicans held the majority in Congress, and it has maintained bipartisan backing since then,” Ms. Pelosi’s office stated. “The Presidio Trust is a statutory entity, safeguarded over the years by that statutory strength.”
Three years prior, Ms. Pelosi was instrumental in securing $200 million from the Interior Department for maintenance and climate-related improvements at the park. This funding was part of the Inflation Reduction Act enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2022.
However, some Republicans are advocating for the funds to be returned. The suggestion to cut funding for the Presidio was included in a 50-page proposal circulated by leading Republicans exploring ways to finance a tax cut and a bill targeting immigration issues.
This action to diminish the Presidio Trust and the three other agencies marks a continuation of President Trump’s broader initiative to reduce government expenditure, particularly in areas like foreign aid.
The Inter-American Foundation is a self-governing body created by Congress in 1969 to support development initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States African Development Foundation, established in 1980, offers grants to community organizations and small businesses that support marginalized populations in Africa. The United States Institute of Peace, initiated in 1984, aims to avert deadly conflicts overseas and facilitate peace agreements.
According to Mr. Trump’s executive order, the leaders of each agency are required to provide a report to the director of the Office of Management and Budget within two weeks to verify their adherence to the order.