1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Recently President Trump signed an executive order (EO 14196) to establish a sovereign wealth fund (SWF). While the EO itself is light on details and only calls on the development of a plan for creating a SWF, several publications have pointed out that SWFs are usually funded by government budget surpluses, which the United States has not had for decades, and in fact currently has debt of $36.23B per the US Treasury. Due to this disconnect, several organizations have raised the specter that the plan is likely to include everything from increased resource extraction on public lands to the actual sale of public lands, such as those part of our national forests, national monuments, and potentially even portions of the crown jewel and envy of the world, our national parks. Public lands are among the best resources we have as a nation, with proper and prudent management providing public good measured not only in dollars but in direct and indirect health benefits, whether through recreation or environmental protection and conservation. Public lands are not meant to privatize wealth, and while private nonprofits and foundations do sometimes undertake efforts to protect environments, we should not have to rely on this small, underfunded network to protect our lands from unscrupulous capitalist vultures with deep pockets. Therefore, I ask that you take all necessary measures, including the passage of new laws, hearings, media campaigns, and coordination with state governments, to protect our lands from sale to the highest bidder. I am counting on you to protect the legacy of this nation for our future generations, and to not let Trump and his cronies to continue to sell out the future of America.