Groups Sue to Block Trump Administration's Removal of History, Science Info from National Parks

Lawsuit alleges sustained campaign to erase history and undermine science at national parks and monuments

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A group of organizations representing park conservationists, historians, and scientists have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Trump administration from removing exhibits and signs touching on topics like slavery and climate change from national parks and monuments. The lawsuit argues the Department of the Interior is engaged in an unlawful policy to censor science and erase American history at these sites.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights growing concerns over the Trump administration's efforts to downplay or remove references to certain aspects of American history and science from national parks and monuments, which many see as direct threats to preserving the full and accurate story of the country's past.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in Boston federal court by the National Parks Conservation Association, American Association for State and Local History, and four other groups. It argues the Department of the Interior is removing signs and exhibits in violation of congressional mandates on how national park sites should be operated. This follows an executive order signed by Trump in 2025 targeting what he called a 'revisionist movement' that portrayed the U.S. as 'inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.'

  • In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Interior Department to make changes to parks, monuments and memorials to address any 'false revision of history'.
  • Following Trump's order, the Interior Department identified hundreds of signs and materials that the National Park Service has begun removing from parks nationwide.

The players

National Parks Conservation Association

A group representing park conservationists that filed the lawsuit.

American Association for State and Local History

A group representing historians that filed the lawsuit.

Donald Trump

The former president who signed an executive order targeting what he called a 'revisionist movement' in American history.

Doug Burgum

The Interior Secretary who implemented Trump's directive to remove signs and materials from national parks.

Democracy Forward

The legal group representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which the Interior Department described as being run by 'far-left extremists.'

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to block the Trump administration's efforts to remove historical and scientific information from national parks and monuments.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing battle over how America's history, including its complex and sometimes uncomfortable aspects, is portrayed in the country's national parks and public spaces. The outcome could have significant implications for the preservation of historical and scientific information at these sites.