President Donald Trump issued an executive order Wednesday evening targeting the Presidio Trust, aiming to eliminate the federal agency that manages San Francisco's historic 1,500-acre national park.
The order, titled "Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," labels the Presidio Trust as an "unnecessary" agency and calls for its functions to be reduced "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law."
The Presidio Trust, established by Congress in 1996, oversees the former military base that has been transformed into a thriving public space featuring hiking trails, museums, restaurants, and other amenities. The park has operated without regular congressional funding since 2013, sustaining itself through building leases and other revenue sources.
"The Presidio Trust Act was passed with bipartisan support when Republicans held the majority in Congress," stated former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, noting the agency's statutory protections. In 2023, Pelosi helped secure $200 million in federal maintenance funding for the park.
State Senator Scott Wiener called the move "legally questionable," stating on social media that "Trump can't tolerate success if it's not about him or enriching him."
The Trust confirmed in a statement that the park remains open while awaiting review from the Office of Management and Budget. Agency heads must submit compliance reports within two weeks.
Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, criticized the order, highlighting the park's universal appeal: "It is such a thriving and successful space for everyone — not to mention its ecological and environmental importance."
The executive order also targets other federal entities including the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace. Legal challenges are expected to follow.