Public lands shouldn’t be used for political propaganda
Independent Newsmedia screenshot
The Tonto National Forest web page, captured in a screenshot on Oct. 7, 2025, features a message at the top of the page that reads: "The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government. This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people."
Posted
By Al Titkemeyer | El Mirage
When I visited the Tonto National Forest website recently, I was stunned to see a shutdown notice that began with the words: “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.”
That kind of language has no place on a federal website. It’s not just unprofessional — it’s propaganda.
Our national forests, parks and public lands belong to everyone. They’re not campaign billboards. They’re not partisan tools. They are some of the few spaces left in this country meant to bring us together, not divide us further.
As an American and a taxpayer, I’m disgusted to see political messaging creeping into the institutions that are supposed to serve all of us equally. This isn’t about party loyalty — it’s about honesty, trust and respect for democracy. When a federal agency blames one political group, it sends the message that some Americans are less welcome than others. That’s dangerous.
I hope the USDA and Forest Service remove this message immediately and take a hard look at how something so divisive made it through. Public institutions must remain neutral, factual and accountable — or we all lose faith in them.
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