National Park Service lost roughly one-quarter of its permanent staff

Entities and roles

• Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
• Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
• Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
• National Park Servicepublic-lands service subjected to workforce reductions

Relationships in this file

1. Elon Muskreduced permanent park staffingNational Park Service
2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought

Claims and evidence

1. factreported

   NPR reported that the National Park Service had lost roughly 25 percent of its permanent workforce through dismissals, resignations, and hiring constraints under the Trump-DOGE reduction drive.

   • NPR: Trump's cuts to national parks are real but many visitors aren't seeing them yetPassages and source records documenting: National Park Service lost roughly one-quarter of its permanent staff
2. factdocumented

   Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

   • The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
3. factdocumented

   Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.

   • United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 37: Confirmation of Russell VoughtAppointment or biography record identifying Russell Vought as Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director

Measurements

1. National Park Service permanent-staff reductionroughly 25%

   Basis

   Observed

   Population

   Permanent National Park Service workforce

   Period

   2025-01-20 to 2025-07-24

   Method

   NPR synthesis of agency and workforce data.

   Uncertainty

   Staffing varied by park; seasonal hiring partly offset visitor-facing gaps.