Gettysburg National Military Park Faces Uncertainty Amid National Park Service Cuts

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
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The Angle at the Gettysburg National Military Park on July 1, 2021.

Aired; August 28th, 2025.

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

Gettysburg National Military Park, one of America’s most historic sites, is feeling the effects of widespread staffing and budget reductions across the National Park Service, according to reporter Najib Aminy. The cuts, driven by executive actions under the Trump administration, have already resulted in the loss of a quarter of the agency’s staff.

“When you walk around Gettysburg, there’s virtually no mention of slavery outside of six interpretive signs,” Aminy said. “I wanted to understand what would happen if these signs were removed because of the new executive order.” These small signs provide context about the African-American experience and slavery, standing in stark contrast to the towering Civil War monuments that dominate the battlefield.

Aminy highlighted how the staffing reductions have been felt on the ground: “There are perhaps longer lines, garbage bins are fuller, and park rangers are taking on multiple roles, including cleaning bathrooms.” Beyond daily operations, research programs in the parks are also under threat. “The research isn’t just for the researchers’ careers—it benefits the public,” he said. “Cuts to these programs create immense challenges for people who have dedicated years to studying wildlife and ecosystems.”

For Aminy, Gettysburg offers a lens into the broader impact of the administration’s actions on one of America’s most cherished institutions. “National parks are almost universally loved,” he said. “Seeing this level of change to such a trusted agency is striking.”

The upcoming Reveal episode delves into these challenges, exploring how staffing, research, and historical interpretation at national parks may be reshaped in the months ahead.