Billboards rise in South Florida slamming DOGE cuts to parks

Hundreds of billboards are rising in 40 U.S. cities, including in the Greater Miami area, bashing staff and service cuts at national parks under President Donald Trump and his Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the signs are being posted at 12 locales on Interstate 95, the Palmetto Expressway, Dolphin Expressway and several key roadways like Bird Road and U.S. 441.

They’re calling attention to budgetary and personnel slashes at nearby parks, including Biscayne National Park, with the message, “Park rangers fired. Made possible by D.O.G.E.”

“National Parks are some of our nation’s most cherished resources. They provide a space that all people — old, young, rich, poor — can enjoy equally and find their lives are enriched by amazing experiences,” said Faiz Shakir, Executive Director of More Perfect Union, the education, advocacy and journalism nonprofit behind the billboards.

“But that’s not something oligarchs care much about. Some elected officials and unelected billionaires would rather privatize or eliminate our public services. We believe strongly in the need for great public parks and outdoor spaces that all Americans can enjoy.”

Roughly 1,000 park employees were laid off in what detractors dubbed the “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” and another 400 park personnel accepted a federal buyout.

The change came under the DOGE program that Musk, the world’s richest man, has run under Trump with the stated goal of cutting government waste, fraud and abuse.

Some jobs were later reinstated after nationwide criticism and protests.

More Perfect Union said the billboards, which went up Monday at 300 locations across the country, will remain for four weeks.

They follow others by a Miami nonprofit and the Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus targeting motorists on the Turnpike, Palmetto Expressway and Don Shula Expressway with messages criticizing federal officials of Cuban descent for not opposing Trump’s deportation efforts.

Democrats also went after Trump with a billboard campaign in Doral ahead of last year’s General Election. Trump and Republicans went on to enjoy historic victories in Miami-Dade.