Why hasn’t there been a permanent Director of the National Park Service for over 3 years?

For the first 100 years of the National Park Service’s existence, there has almost continually been an official director who leads the prestigious conservation agency. Now, that’s changed.

The Trump administration has never had anyone in the official position of director — which comes with authority, direction, and influence over the Park Service. It’s now almost certain there won’t be a Senate-confirmed director for the entirety of the administration’s first term.

Former Park Service leaders and legal experts agree that without a bonafide director, the Trump administration, specifically under Secretary Bernhardt, controls the National Park Service.