Upside-Down Flag at Yosemite Sparks Concern Over National Park Job Cuts
Visitors at Yosemite National Park were shocked to see an upside-down American flag displayed on El Capitan — a powerful symbol of distress traditionally used in times of extreme danger. The display wasn’t an accident; it was a silent protest by National Park Service (NPS) employees drawing attention to serious staffing cuts affecting parks across the country.
The protest aimed to raise awareness about the loss of nearly 1,000 NPS jobs during the Trump administration. Workers say these cuts are straining park operations, limiting public safety efforts, and reducing services like Search and Rescue and sanitation.
Gavin Carpenter, a mechanic at Yosemite, provided the flag and explained the reason behind the protest: “We’re losing staff, and this isn’t sustainable. It’s not just about us — it’s about protecting America’s public lands.”
Photographer Brittany Colt shared a photo of the flag online, where it quickly went viral, sparking public concern and support. Many visitors and park supporters saw the upside-down flag as a symbol that the National Parks — long considered a national treasure — are under threat.
In response to the growing backlash, the administration later pledged to restore 50 permanent positions and hire around 3,000 seasonal workers for the summer. However, many park employees and advocates argue that this still falls far short of what’s needed to keep the parks safe, clean, and accessible.
The inverted flag on El Capitan delivered a clear message: America’s parks — and the people who care for them — are in distress and need urgent attention.
