Documents Undercut Trump’s Claims About Bears Ears National Monument
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-03 14:08:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump’s Claim on Bears Ears Recreation Contradicted by Internal Documents
President Trump asserted that recreation in Bears Ears National Monument was “virtually impossible,” a statement used to justify his decision to dramatically reduce the size of the protected area. However, documents reviewed by The New York Times reveal that federal officials were aware this claim was not accurate.
False Claim About Access
Trump’s position that public recreation was severely restricted in Bears Ears played a central role in his administration’s argument for shrinking the monument’s boundaries. The president’s assertion suggested that federal protections were preventing Americans from enjoying the land. However, internal government documents obtained by The New York Times show that officials knew recreation—including hiking, camping, and off-road vehicle use—was already allowed and widely practiced within the monument before Trump’s changes.
Contradictions Exposed by Federal Records
The reviewed documents indicate that the narrative of “virtually impossible” recreation was not supported by the facts known to the administration. In reality, the monument’s management plan permitted a range of recreational activities, and there was no evidence that access for the public was being denied in the way President Trump described.
Conclusion
President Trump’s claim that recreation in Bears Ears National Monument was “virtually impossible” is contradicted by internal federal documents. These records show that officials were aware of the broad recreational access available prior to the administration’s decision to reduce the monument’s size. This case highlights a significant example of the president making a public statement that was at odds with information known to his own government.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/climate/trump-bears-ears-monument-recreation.html