Trump’s Plan to Cut Funding for the Presidio Trust: A Threat to San Francisco’s Beloved Park Jewel | KQED

Recent actions by President Trump are raising concerns for the Presidio Trust, the agency responsible for managing the historic 1,500-acre park near the Golden Gate Bridge. On a Wednesday night, Trump signed an executive order aimed at cutting down federal agencies, including the Presidio Trust.

The executive order is part of a plan to reduce what the administration calls “unnecessary” government operations to cut waste. This could impact the trust’s budget and its ability to preserve the park, which is a treasure for both locals and visitors.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, expressed her concern about the executive order. She stated, “The Presidio Trust is statutory, and it has been protected over time by its statutory strength. We will carefully review the language of the President’s executive order.”

In addition to the Presidio Trust, the order also targets other agencies like the Inter-American Foundation and the United States African Development Foundation. It’s unclear if this order will face legal challenges, but Californians have previously pushed back against Trump’s actions in court.

Local leaders, including Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, are working to safeguard the Presidio. He emphasized the fear this order creates and highlighted that 3,000 residents live in the area. “This is deeply personal to me and to my neighbors,” he remarked.

On the ground, residents and visitors enjoy the park daily. Take Elizabeth Bradburn, who brings her goldendoodle, Charles, to frolic off-leash and meet other dog owners. “It’s a destination for many people, both locals and tourists,” she said, noting the beautiful views of the bridge and nearby eateries.

The Presidio has a rich history, having once housed military bases that closed in the 1990s. Back then, there were discussions about converting the area into a national park, but those plans didn’t materialize due to federal opposition.

The future of the Presidio Trust and the park remains uncertain as the community watches closely how these changes will unfold.