On February 3, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) for the United States, aiming to create one of the world's largest such funds. Given the nation's $36 trillion debt, the administration is exploring funding options, including the potential sale of federal public lands. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated plans to "monetize the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet," referring to national parks, public lands, and natural resources as potential assets. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum estimated these federal lands could be worth up to $200 trillion. This approach has raised concerns about the preservation of public lands and their traditional uses, such as recreation and conservation.