On a sunny Labor Day this year, visitors to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. encountered an unexpected sight: camo-clad, armed troops positioned around some of the capital’s most frequented monuments. An eyewitness account describes soldiers near the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial—an overt military presence just seven months into President Donald Trump’s tenure.

International Visitor Fee Boost Could Fund U.S. National Parks

International travelers may soon find a new fee added to the cost of exploring America’s treasured national parks, as policymakers look for innovative ways to fund growing maintenance shortfalls and preserve the country’s iconic landscapes for generations to come.