Jim Jordan Defends Firing National Park Locksmiths: “How Do Visitors Even Get Locked in Restrooms?
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) defended federal job cuts, even when faced with reports that locksmiths at national parks were being laid off, leaving visitors trapped in restrooms without a way out. During a Sunday appearance on Fox News Sunday, Jordan responded to host Shannon Bream’s concerns about the impact of government reductions, particularly those influenced by billionaire Elon Musk’s recommendations.
“They’re completely unnerved and have no idea how their agencies are going to run,” Bream said, pointing to reports that entire offices were being wiped out due to the cuts. Jordan, however, dismissed the severity of the situation, referencing a Washington Post article that highlighted the impact on national parks.
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“I grabbed this headline, ‘National Parks in Chaos,’ after—it’s a Washington Post story,” Jordan said. “Here’s the first paragraph: California National Park, the Trump administration fired the only locksmith on staff.” He continued, reading aloud the article’s next line: “He was the sole employee with keys and institutional knowledge needed to rescue visitors from locked restrooms.”
Mocking the report, Jordan questioned the necessity of the locksmith position, saying, “Now, if that is it, I mean, that’s the best you can do. The real question is, how do visitors get locked in restrooms? I mean, this is how ridiculous some of this thing is!”
While Jordan admitted that “maybe there have been some mistakes made,” he remained steadfast in his defense of the broader government reductions. “I think the intensity and the focus on getting rid of the wasteful spending—the one guy who can unlock people who somehow get locked in a restroom at a national park—this is ridiculous!” Jordan argued.
The debate over federal layoffs, particularly those affecting national parks, veterans’ services, and research institutions, has drawn backlash from both government employees and advocacy groups. Critics warn that cutting essential personnel could lead to dysfunctional agencies and public safety risks.
Despite the controversy, Jordan and other Republican lawmakers continue to back the aggressive spending cuts, arguing they are necessary to eliminate government waste—even if it means some visitors may find themselves locked in restrooms with no locksmith to free them.
