Washington, DC — The Department of the Interior must provide greater transparency over the financial management of Freedom 250, according to the testimony today before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution by Tim Whitehouse, Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). One key aspect he highlights is diversion of taxpayer funds for a purely partisan spectacle.

Whitehouse’s testimony came as part of the hearing, “Protecting American Citizenship IV: America 250 and Reclaiming American Citizenship. His main message is that millions in taxpayer money are being spent on Freedom 250 without any transparency:

• The National Park Service is using tax-supported park ranger staff time for Freedom 250-related efforts;
• The Interior Department has diverted recreation fees from park needs nationwide for rushed no-bid vanity beautification projects in DC that are already failing; and
• Access to high-profile Freedom 250 events and administration officials is reportedly being sold through expensive sponsorship packages

In February, PEER called on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to disclose how taxpayer funds are being used by Freedom 250, identify its donors, reveal the role of government employees in supporting its activities, and explain how the organization operates outside the bipartisan oversight structure Congress originally established through America250. PEER has not received a response to that request and has filed suit in hopes of forcing disclosure before the July 4^th celebrations begin.

“Secretary Burgum has the ability to resolve these questions by releasing a full accounting of who funds Freedom 250 and how it operates, but has failed to do so,” Whitehouse noted in his testimony. “What should be a nonpartisan celebration has become a growing scandal involving secrecy, political favoritism, and the diversion of significant taxpayer funds and resources to a private entity operating outside the oversight structure Congress created.”

President Trump has promised to coopt the Freedom 250 Fourth of July celebration for a political “Trump Rally.” In addition, Interior has reportedly forced NPS staff to wear badges promoting the Trump event.

“Public employees should not be involved in the branding for a partisan event,” Whitehouse added. “A 250th anniversary celebration should strengthen trust in our democratic institutions, not degrade it into a political spectacle.”

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Watch the full hearing
Read Whitehouse’s full testimony
Read PEER’s letter to Secretary Burgum demanding an accounting of Freedom 250 taxpayer funds
Look at PEER’s lawsuit seeking Freedom 250 records

PEER protects public employees who protect our environment, natural resources, and public health. We support current and former environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers, and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values across federal, state, local, and tribal governments.