1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 792—legislation that would direct the Secretary of the Interior to carve President Donald J. Trump’s figure on Mount Rushmore. Not only is this a blatantly political stunt, but it also jeopardizes the historical integrity, environmental stability, and cultural significance of one of our nation’s most cherished memorials. First, Mount Rushmore is more than a convenient rock face; it is a testament to our shared history and artistic achievement. The sculptors themselves concluded that the remaining rock is unsuitable for additional carvings, and engineers have repeatedly warned that further modifications could compromise the monument’s structural stability. Reopening this debate distracts from preserving the site’s integrity and insults those—particularly the Lakota Sioux—who regard the Black Hills as sacred land and who have never been justly compensated for its seizure. Second, the bill offers no appropriation language, yet any attempt to physically carve another face would cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and divert scarce National Park Service resources away from maintenance, visitor services, and conservation. At a time when our parks are underfunded and natural resources face increasing threats, we should be strengthening, not politicizing, our stewardship of public lands. Finally, H.R. 792 is an unprecedented power‐grab by the majority party to deify a sitting president, undermining the nonpartisan nature of our national monuments. Mount Rushmore stands for leadership that transcends politics; it should not become a campaign billboard. I respectfully ask you to speak out against this bill in committee and on the floor, and to vote “No” should it reach the full House. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I appreciate your leadership and stand ready to support you in defending the integrity of our national memorials.