Judge Orders Trump Admin to Protect Slavery Exhibit Panels in Philadelphia

Panels that tell the stories of enslaved Africans held by President Washington must be preserved, court rules

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to securely store and protect the panels of a slavery exhibit at the President's House site in Philadelphia, after inspecting the condition of the panels that were recently removed by the National Park Service. The judge found some damage to the panels and barred any further removal or destruction of the exhibit as the city's lawsuit against the federal government moves forward.

Why it matters

The President's House exhibit is an important memorial that honors the lives of the enslaved Africans who were held by President George Washington. The court's intervention aims to prevent further harm to this historical and culturally significant exhibit as the legal battle continues over its fate.

The details

U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe inspected the 34 glass and metal panels that were removed from the President's House exhibit on January 22. While the panels are being stored in a secure location, the judge noted some damage to the panels and ordered the federal government to 'mitigate any further deterioration or damage.' The city of Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit to block the Trump administration from making any further changes to the exhibit, arguing the removal caused 'irreparable harm.'

  • On January 22, the National Park Service removed the panels from the President's House exhibit.
  • On February 3, Judge Rufe inspected the condition of the removed panels.

The players

Judge Cynthia Rufe

The U.S. District Judge overseeing Philadelphia's federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the removal of the slavery exhibit.

City of Philadelphia

The plaintiff in the federal lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from making further changes to the President's House exhibit.

Trump Administration

The defendant in the federal lawsuit over the removal of the slavery exhibit panels from the President's House site.

Avenging the Ancestors Coalition

An advocacy group that launched the campaign in 2002 to include a slavery memorial at the President's House site and has filed a motion to support the city's lawsuit.

Michael Coard

The attorney who founded the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition and participated in the inspection of the removed panels.

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What they’re saying

“There were scratches and marks on several of the 34 items we saw, there was no cushioning. They were up against the wall. They were on the cement floor. Had they slipped, the glass items would have fallen to the ground.”

— Michael Coard, Attorney and founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (wbal.com)

“The Sixth and Market Street site where America's first White House stood is historical holy ground. And anytime you defile holy ground, you desecrate it.”

— Michael Coard, Attorney and founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (wbal.com)

What’s next

The judge will continue to consider the city's motion for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration from making any further changes to the President's House exhibit as the lawsuit proceeds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle over preserving historical sites and memorials that acknowledge America's complex history with slavery. The court's intervention aims to protect the integrity of the President's House exhibit, which serves as an important acknowledgment of the lives of the enslaved Africans who lived there.