Mount Rushmore to Add Trump: Bill Directs Interior Secretary to Include 45th President

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to add a carving of President Donald J. Trump to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Specifically, the bill instructs the Secretary, through the National Park Service Director, to make arrangements for a carving of Trump to be added to the existing monument (SEC. 1).

Monumental Changes?

The core of the legislation is straightforward: it mandates the addition of President Trump's likeness to Mount Rushmore. No specific timeframe is provided in the bill's text, leaving the timeline and execution details to the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. This lack of detail raises practical questions. For example, how would this integrate with the existing structure, and what might be the associated costs?

Real-World Carvings

If this bill becomes law, the impact will be felt most directly by those connected to the monument and its surrounding area. Think about the park staff at Mount Rushmore – their daily routines could shift significantly, from managing increased visitor flow to handling potential controversies. Local businesses, too, could see changes, both positive (like increased tourism) and negative (like dealing with protests). For the average citizen, this might mean seeing a different monument next time they visit, sparking discussions about who gets to be on a national landmark.

The Bigger Picture

This bill also raises some bigger questions about how we treat national monuments. Mount Rushmore is a recognized symbol, and adding a new figure is a major decision. It also opens the door to future alterations. What criteria will be used? This bill sets a precedent, and understanding its implications is crucial for anyone who cares about national parks, historical sites, or how the government manages them. The practical challenges are also worth considering. Adding a new carving is not a simple task, and the bill doesn't address the technical or financial aspects of such a project. It also has the potential to change the monument's historical context, which could be a point of contention.