Judge Orders Restoration of Slavery Exhibits at President's House in Philadelphia

The Trump administration must return the exhibits by Friday, a judge ruled.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore slavery exhibits that were removed from the President's House Site in Philadelphia. The judge set a Friday deadline for the administration to return the exhibits, which detailed the lives of nine enslaved people who lived at the site while George Washington was president.

Why it matters

The President's House Site is an important historical landmark that acknowledges the role of slavery in early American history. The removal of the slavery exhibits was seen by many as an attempt to whitewash this history, and the judge's order is a victory for those who believe in preserving and accurately portraying the full truth of the nation's past.

The details

On Wednesday, Senior Judge Cynthia M. Rufe ordered the Trump administration to return the slavery exhibits to the President's House at 6th and Market streets in Old City, Philadelphia, by Friday at 5 p.m. This comes after Rufe ruled in favor of the city of Philadelphia on Monday, ordering the administration to restore the site to its condition on January 21 - the day before the exhibits were removed. The Trump administration had filed an appeal to Rufe's previous decision.

  • On January 22, the National Park Service removed the slavery exhibits from the President's House Site under an executive order by President Trump.
  • On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Judge Rufe set the Friday deadline for the Trump administration to restore the exhibits.

The players

Cynthia M. Rufe

A senior federal judge who ordered the Trump administration to restore the slavery exhibits at the President's House Site in Philadelphia.

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia, who called the judge's order "a huge win" for the city as it prepares to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Donald Trump

The former president who issued an executive order called "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which led to the removal of the slavery exhibits from the President's House Site.

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What they’re saying

“This summer, Philadelphia will lead a litany of semiquincentennial celebrations in honor of America's 250th birthday, and please know that we will do so with a great deal of pride, a pride that comes from acknowledging all of our history and all of our truth, no matter how painful it may be. It will be the truth when it's told accurately. We will not allow anyone to erase our history.”

— Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia (Social media)

What’s next

The Trump administration has filed an appeal to Judge Rufe's previous decision ordering the restoration of the President's House Site. The judge's latest order gives the administration until Friday at 5 p.m. to return the slavery exhibits to the site.

The takeaway

The judge's order to restore the slavery exhibits at the President's House Site is a victory for those who believe in preserving and accurately portraying the full history of early America, including its painful legacy of slavery. This decision underscores the importance of acknowledging all aspects of the nation's past, even the most difficult ones, as Philadelphia prepares to celebrate America's 250th birthday.