Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Removing Slavery Exhibits at Philadelphia Site

U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe invokes George Orwell's '1984' in ordering restoration of displays about slaves who lived at the nation's one-time executive mansion.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge has ordered the National Park Service to restore exhibits about slaves who lived at the nation's one-time executive mansion in Philadelphia, agreeing with the city that the Trump administration likely unlawfully removed the displays. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe invoked the dystopian novel '1984' as she blocked the Trump administration from changing or damaging the site, which is now an outdoor exhibition.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over how to accurately portray and commemorate America's history of slavery, with the Trump administration accused of attempting to whitewash or downplay this history. The judge's ruling affirms the importance of preserving historical truths, even when they may be politically inconvenient.

The details

The President's House in Philadelphia is an open-air pavilion that is part of Independence National Historical Park and contains exhibits about Washington's slaves who lived there. Last month, Philadelphia sued the Interior Department and the Park Service after they removed the slavery references, saying the changes were in response to an executive order Trump signed last year directing the removal of content that 'inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.' The judge ruled that the Trump administration had disregarded its agreement with the city and requirements imposed by Congress.

  • In 2006, Philadelphia entered an agreement with the federal government to develop the President's House site.
  • Last month, Philadelphia sued the Interior Department and the Park Service after they removed the slavery references.
  • On Monday, the judge issued the ruling ordering the restoration of the slavery exhibits.

The players

Cynthia Rufe

A U.S. District Judge who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The National Park Service

The federal agency that manages the President's House site in Philadelphia.

The City of Philadelphia

The city that sued the federal government over the removal of the slavery exhibits at the President's House site.

The Trump Administration

The former presidential administration that ordered the removal of the slavery exhibits, citing an executive order to remove content that 'inappropriately disparages Americans past or living.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell's 1984 now existed, with its motto 'Ignorance is Strength,' this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims—to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts. It does not.”

— Cynthia Rufe, U.S. District Judge (The Hill)

“The government here likewise asserts truth is no longer self-evident, but rather the property of the elected chief magistrate and his appointees and delegees, at his whim to be scraped clean, hidden, or overwritten. And why? Solely because, as Defendants state, it has the power.”

— Cynthia Rufe, U.S. District Judge (The Hill)

What’s next

The federal government has the option to appeal the judge's ruling ordering the restoration of the slavery exhibits at the President's House site.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing debate over how to accurately portray America's history of slavery, and the importance of preserving historical truths even when they may be politically inconvenient. The judge's ruling affirms that the government cannot simply 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths' to suit its own agenda.