Judge Orders Reinstatement of Slavery Exhibit at National Museum

Ruling finds Trump administration violated law in removing exhibit about slavery at President's House in Philadelphia

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A U.S. judge ruled that the Trump administration must reinstall a museum exhibit about slavery at the President's House in Philadelphia, finding the administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act in removing the exhibit without the required consent of the city.

Why it matters

The ruling is a victory for preserving historical truth and acknowledging the role of slavery in American history, which the Trump administration had sought to downplay or remove from national museum exhibits.

The details

Judge Cynthia Rufe, a George W. Bush appointee, found that the Department of the Interior violated the APA by removing the slavery exhibit from the President's House without getting consent from the city of Philadelphia, as required by the law establishing the Independence National Historical Park. The administration had cited an executive order by Trump to remove exhibits that 'inappropriately disparage Americans past,' but the court ruled this did not override the existing law and contract requiring Philadelphia's approval.

  • On February 15, 2026, Judge Rufe issued the ruling ordering the reinstatement of the slavery exhibit.
  • In 2020, the Trump administration removed panels, displays, and video exhibits referencing slavery and enslaved individuals at the President's House.

The players

Judge Cynthia Rufe

A George W. Bush appointee to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who ruled against the Trump administration's removal of the slavery exhibit.

Jamie Gauthier

A Philadelphia city councilmember who praised the court's decision, stating 'Black history is American history.'

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who issued an executive order directing the removal of exhibits that 'inappropriately disparage Americans past,' which the court found did not override existing law.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Black history is American history.”

— Jamie Gauthier, Philadelphia City Councilmember

“It is as if the Ministry of Truth–the fictional governing body in the book determining what knowledge is true–truly existed, with the government attempting to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths.'”

— Judge Cynthia Rufe, U.S. District Court Judge (Jurist)

What’s next

The Trump administration will likely appeal the judge's ruling, setting up a potential legal battle over the preservation of the slavery exhibit at the President's House.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over how to accurately portray America's history, including the role of slavery, in national museums and memorials. The court's ruling is a victory for those seeking to preserve historical truth and acknowledge the full scope of the nation's past.