Federal Judge Orders Restoration of Slavery Exhibit at Philadelphia's President's House

The judge likened the Trump administration's rationale for removing the panels to the authoritarian regime in George Orwell's "1984."

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must restore a slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia, citing contractual agreements made through congressional authority. The city of Philadelphia had sued to have the exhibit reinstated after the National Park Service removed it.

Why it matters

The President's House exhibit in Philadelphia acknowledges the history of slavery at the site, which served as the executive mansion for Presidents George Washington and John Adams. The judge's ruling upholds the city's contractual rights and prevents the federal government from unilaterally altering the exhibit, which has sparked debate over how to properly commemorate America's complex history.

The details

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the National Park Service does not have the authority to unilaterally alter the exhibit without agreement from the city of Philadelphia. The city had sued the federal government over the removal of the slavery panels, citing contractual agreements made through congressional authority. Judge Brody likened the administration's rationale for the removal to the authoritarian regime depicted in George Orwell's novel "1984."

  • The judge's ruling was issued on February 17, 2026.

The players

Anita Brody

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

Michael Coard

An attorney and founder of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, which joined the city of Philadelphia in suing the federal government over the removal of the slavery exhibit.

City of Philadelphia

The city that sued the federal government to have the slavery exhibit at the President's House restored.

National Park Service

The federal agency that removed the slavery exhibit from the President's House without the agreement of the city of Philadelphia.

Trump administration

The federal government under former President Donald Trump that ordered the removal of the slavery exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“This judge, a Republican, by the way, looked at the law, looked at the facts, and did the right thing. It's a great day in Philadelphia, it's a great day in Pennsylvania, it's a great day in America.”

— Michael Coard, Attorney and founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition

“We always point out that George Washington and 11 other presidents enslaved Black people. This happened on Presidents Day. To me, it's like the judicial equivalent of the Revolutionary War where the Founding Fathers took up arms against a dictatorial government in Britain. Well, this judge took up a pen against a dictatorial government here in 2026.”

— Michael Coard, Attorney and founder of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition

What’s next

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge's ruling to restore the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia.

The takeaway

The judge's decision upholds the city of Philadelphia's contractual rights and prevents the federal government from unilaterally altering historical exhibits that acknowledge America's complex history with slavery. This ruling underscores the ongoing debate over how to properly commemorate the nation's past while also addressing its difficult realities.