Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Removal of Slavery Exhibit at President's House Site

The ruling cites Orwell's '1984' in rejecting the White House's attempt to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths'.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's removal of an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington at the President's House site in Philadelphia. The judge cited the dystopian novel '1984' in rejecting the White House's claim that it has the power to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths', ordering the exhibit to be restored to its original condition.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has sought to whitewash history at multiple historical sites, removing exhibits and references related to slavery, LGBTQ+ history, and Native American dispossession. This ruling is seen as a victory for preserving historical truth and transparency, rejecting the administration's efforts to rewrite the nation's history.

The details

The exhibit was located at the President's House site in Philadelphia, where George and Martha Washington lived along with nine people enslaved by the couple when the city was briefly the nation's capital. The Trump administration ordered the removal of the exhibit last month in response to an executive order aimed at 'restoring truth and sanity to American history'. However, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled that the exhibit must be reinstated while a lawsuit challenging the legality of the removal plays out.

  • The exhibit was removed from the President's House site in Philadelphia in late January 2026.
  • On February 17, 2026, Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled that the exhibit must be restored to its original condition.

The players

Cynthia Rufe

A U.S. District Judge who ruled against the Trump administration's removal of the slavery exhibit at the President's House site.

Donald Trump

The former president whose administration ordered the removal of the slavery exhibit as part of an effort to 'restore truth and sanity to American history'.

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia who filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the exhibit's removal.

George Washington

The former U.S. president who lived at the President's House site in Philadelphia with nine enslaved people.

Martha Washington

The wife of George Washington, who also lived at the President's House site with nine enslaved people.

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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.”

— Cynthia Rufe, U.S. District Judge

“We are capable of hearing about our tragedies and our victories, and this systematic erasure should concern everyone in our country.”

— Kristen Brengel, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association (Washington Post)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker challenging the legality of the exhibit's removal will continue to play out in court.

The takeaway

This ruling represents a victory for preserving historical truth and transparency, rejecting the Trump administration's efforts to whitewash history by removing exhibits and references related to slavery, LGBTQ+ history, and Native American dispossession at national parks and historical sites.