Lawsuit Alleges Trump Administration Erasing History and Science at National Parks

Conservation and historical groups sue over policies that remove exhibits on slavery, civil rights, and climate change

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A federal lawsuit filed by a coalition of conservation and historical organizations alleges that the Trump administration has forced the National Park Service to remove or censor exhibits that share factually accurate and relevant U.S. history and scientific knowledge, including about slavery, civil rights, and climate change. The lawsuit claims the changes came in response to a Trump executive order "restoring truth and sanity to American history" at national parks and other federal sites.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights growing concerns that the Trump administration is attempting to whitewash and rewrite American history by removing exhibits and information that provide an honest and comprehensive account of the country's past, including its complex legacy of slavery, discrimination, and environmental exploitation. This raises questions about the role of national parks as educational institutions that should present a balanced and truthful portrayal of the nation's history.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition including the National Parks Conservation Association, American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, and Union of Concerned Scientists. It alleges that the park service has removed or flagged for removal exhibits describing key moments in the civil rights movement, the history of slavery, and the effects of climate change. For example, exhibits have been removed from sites like the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, and Glacier National Park.

  • On February 18, 2026, a federal judge ordered that an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington must be restored at his former home in Philadelphia.
  • In recent weeks, the federal campaign to review and remove interpretive materials has escalated, according to the lawsuit.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who issued an executive order directing the Interior Department to ensure national parks and museums do not display elements that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living."

Doug Burgum

The former Interior Secretary who directed the removal of "improper partisan ideology" from museums, monuments, landmarks and other public exhibits under federal control.

National Parks Conservation Association

A conservation organization that is part of the coalition suing the Trump administration over the National Park Service policies.

Alan Spears

The senior director of cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association.

George Washington

The former U.S. president whose former home in Philadelphia had an exhibit about nine enslaved people removed, before a federal judge ordered it restored.

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What they’re saying

“Censoring science and erasing America's history at national parks are direct threats to everything these amazing places, and our country, stand for.”

— Alan Spears, Senior Director of Cultural Resources, National Parks Conservation Association

“National parks serve as living classrooms for our country, where science and history come to life for visitors. As Americans, we deserve national parks that tell stories of our country's triumphs and heartbreaks alike. We can handle the truth.”

— Alan Spears, Senior Director of Cultural Resources, National Parks Conservation Association

What’s next

The federal judge's order to restore the exhibit about enslaved people at George Washington's former home in Philadelphia is a significant development, and the outcome of the broader lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for how history and science are presented at national parks and other federal sites.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the Trump administration's efforts to whitewash American history by removing exhibits and information that provide an honest account of the country's complex past, including its legacy of slavery, discrimination, and environmental exploitation. The outcome of this case will shape the role of national parks as educational institutions that should present a balanced and truthful portrayal of the nation's history.