Trump moves to eliminate agency managing SF's historic Presidio park, calling it 'unnecessary'

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- President Donald Trump's mission to drastically reshape the federal government is taking direct aim at one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks, The Presidio.

President Trump has issued an executive order to eliminate the Presidio Trust.

The Presidio Trust is the federal agency created in 1996 that manages the 1,500-acre historic park which dates back centuries, and once served as a military post.

The order issued Wednesday night calls for "dramatically" downsizing the federal government, describing the Trust and several other agencies as "unnecessary."

In a statement, the Presidio Trust says they'll continue to operate as normal. The Trust says it has not received regular annual funding from the federal government since 2013, rather relying on funding from leasing buildings in the park.

"We will present a report on our activities to the Office of Management and Budget, as required by the order, in two weeks," the Trust said. "We are confident that our activities are all statutorily-based."

MORE: A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and State Senator Scott Weiner both already put out statements about the order, essentially saying they will defend the Presidio Trust. What happens next is not exactly clear but this will very likely result in legal action.

In 2023, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi helped secure $200 million in federal money for maintenance projects in the Presidio.

Her office put out this statement:

"The Presidio Trust is statutory, and it has been protected from assaults over time by its statutory strength. We will be carefully reviewing the language of the President's executive order and its purpose."

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer also weighed in.

"I would say to this administration, whether it's the President Trump or Musk or all those DOGE people, that when something is a raging success 'Keep your hands off it," said Boxer.

MORE: Going to Yosemite soon? Here's how National Park Service layoffs could impact your trip

Even the business community is coming to the defense of the Presidio Trust. Bay Area Council President Jim Wunderman says before the Trust came, the Presidio didn't look like this, there were worn out buildings and challenged areas.

"This is clearly a case that a public/private partnership has been successful in delivering a great public benefit without putting in government money," said Wunderman.

Two-hundred-million dollars were given to the Presidio as part of the Inflation Reduction Act a few years ago.

"That was not maintenance, that was capital improvements and I think the republicans are looking to grab some of that money that hasn't been spent, if there's any left," said Boxer.

State Senator Scott Wiener had strong words for the administration.

"So these folks are inept, they don't know what they're doing. They're slashing and burning in the government. It has nothing to do with efficiency but everything to do with corruption and funding tax cuts for rich people," said Wiener.

MORE: DOGE claims $55 billion in government cuts so far -- but the figure is hard to verify

Former Presidio trustee Marie Hurabiell isn't quite as worried about the future of the Presidio after reading the executive order.

"That's my read on this, it's an attempt to get information. It's saying we're not going to allow certain things, tell us what you're doing. What they should see is a phenomenally run organization that is generating revenue that is entirely funding a gem of a national park," said Hurabiell.

Residents ABC7 News spoke with Thursday disapproved of the decision and described their love for the Presidio, hoping that nothing changes.

"I think that's shameful, we need more park space in this city," San Francisco resident Jeff Daniel said. "This has wonderful resources for folks who live here, folks who work here, for visitors, for tourists. It brings a lot of tourists and tourist dollars to the city as well."

"I am hopeful that natural spaces like these will be able to be preserved," San Francisco resident Amabelle Sze said. "I'm hopeful that the spaces are rented out to other organizations, like the Bay School, or the fact that they have food trucks out here every weekend. You know, it's just a really amazing gathering place. And I hope that those won't be impacted."

MORE: Trump calls himself 'king' after DOT strikes down NYC's controversial congestion pricing program

Here is the full statement issued by the Presidio Trust in response to the executive order:

"President Trump has issued an executive order requiring the Presidio Trust to eliminate 'all non-statutory functions' that are performed by the Presidio Trust. The Presidio Trust Act, passed by Congress in 1996, created the Presidio Trust as a wholly-owned federal corporation with a mandate to, among other things, 'manage the leasing, maintenance, rehabilitation, repair and improvement of property within the Presidio' and 'The Trust shall develop a comprehensive program for management of those lands and facilities within the Presidio which are transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the Trust. Such program shall be designed to reduce expenditures by the National Park Service and increase revenues to the Federal Government to the maximum extent possible.'"

"We do this, as required by the Trust Act, through 'an innovative public/private partnership that minimizes cost to the United States Treasury and makes efficient use of private sector resources.' The Presidio Trust has not received regular annual appropriations from Congress since 2013, instead relying on the funds earned by leasing the historic buildings that the Trust has renovated."

"We will present a report on our activities to the Office of Management and Budget, as required by the order, in two weeks. We are confident that our activities are all statutorily based."

"The Presidio, a one-of-a-kind national park site, and all of its services and business will continue to operate as normal, welcoming visitors and serving all who live and work here."

The Presidio Trust will present a report on their activities and spending in two weeks. For now, they say services and business will continue to operate as normal.