Counties Surrounding Philadelphia Support City's Slavery Exhibits Lawsuit

Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties file amicus brief backing Philadelphia's effort to restore exhibits at President's House

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The counties surrounding Philadelphia have filed a joint amicus brief in support of the city's lawsuit against the Trump administration over the removal of slavery exhibits from the President's House on Independence Mall. The exhibits, which detailed the lives of nine enslaved people who lived there during George Washington's presidency, were taken down without notice last month after President Trump issued an executive order aimed at "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History."

Why it matters

The removal of the slavery exhibits is seen by local officials as an attempt to erase and whitewash American history. The neighboring counties are standing in solidarity with Philadelphia's efforts to restore the displays, which they say are an important acknowledgment of the nation's abhorrent legacy of slavery and a necessary step in moving forward as a country.

The details

Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties filed the amicus brief to provide additional information and arguments to the court as Philadelphia's lawsuit against the Trump administration continues. The exhibits were installed in the early 2000s but were taken down last month and are currently being stored by the National Park Service near the National Constitution Center.

  • The slavery exhibits were removed from the President's House in January 2026 after President Trump issued an executive order.
  • The four counties filed the amicus brief in support of Philadelphia's lawsuit in February 2026.

The players

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia is suing the Trump administration over the removal of the slavery exhibits from the President's House on Independence Mall.

Trump administration

The Trump administration ordered the removal of the slavery exhibits from the President's House, citing an executive order to "Restore Truth and Sanity to American History."

Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties

The four counties surrounding Philadelphia have filed a joint amicus brief in support of the city's lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Josh Maxwell

The Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, who accused the Trump administration of trying to erase and whitewash American history by removing the slavery exhibits.

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania, who also filed an amicus brief in support of Philadelphia's lawsuit in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Chester County was an important part of the Underground Railroad, home to the nation's first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the birthplace of civil rights leaders. In filing an amicus brief, we continue our commitment to acknowledging the abhorrent legacy of slavery and working to remedy it.”

— Josh Maxwell, Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners

“Those displays aren't just signs — they represent our shared history, and if we want to move forward as a nation, we have to be willing to tell the full story of where we came from.”

— Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the city's lawsuit against the Trump administration in the coming months.

The takeaway

The neighboring counties' support for Philadelphia's lawsuit highlights the importance of acknowledging and preserving the full history of slavery in America, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. Erasing or whitewashing this history only serves to perpetuate harmful narratives and hinder true progress as a nation.