"The pledge in an interview with Fox News comes just after the agency fired around 1,000 probationary employees."

"Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended his firing of more than 1,000 park rangers as an effort to shrink government to the “right size,” in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday.

The secretary, who was also named President Donald Trump’s energy czar, said the National Park Service is planning to hire 5,000 people to fill temporary jobs to man parks during the busy summer season — seemingly recognizing the criticism that reducing NPS staff will leave skeleton crews to staff the nation’s parks just as visitation spikes with warmer weather.

“We’re just in the process right now of posting 5,000 summer jobs,” Burgum said in the interview. “You want to start a career in the park service? Go apply for a job.”"

Heather Richards reports for E&E News February 20, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Trump Firing Thousands Of National Park, Forest Service Workers Sparks Protests" (HuffPost) [3]