Lawsuit Alleges Trump Administration is Erasing History and Science at National Parks

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

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A coalition of conservation and historical organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that National Park Service policies have forced the removal or censorship of exhibits that share factually accurate U.S. history and scientific knowledge, including information about slavery, civil rights, treatment of Indigenous peoples, and climate change.

Why it matters

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration's efforts to 'restore truth and sanity to American history' at national parks and museums have resulted in the erasure of core elements of the American experience, undermining the educational mission of these public spaces.

The details

The lawsuit cites several examples of exhibits that have been removed or flagged for removal, including materials describing the history of slavery at George Washington's former home, key moments in the civil rights movement, and the impact of settlers on Native American tribes at the Grand Canyon. The groups behind the lawsuit say these actions are a direct threat to the integrity and educational value of national parks.

  • On February 17, 2026, conservation and historical organizations filed the lawsuit in Boston.
  • On Presidents Day 2026, a federal judge ordered the restoration of an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington at his former home in Philadelphia.

The players

National Parks Conservation Association

A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing America's national parks.

American Association for State and Local History

A professional organization that promotes the study and interpretation of state and local history in the United States.

Association of National Park Rangers

A professional organization that represents the interests of National Park Service employees.

Union of Concerned Scientists

A nonprofit science advocacy organization that works to ensure the integrity of science in policymaking.

Doug Burgum

The Interior Secretary under the Trump administration.

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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 lawsuit is currently making its way through the federal court system, and a judge has already ordered the restoration of an exhibit about slavery at George Washington's former home in Philadelphia. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of historical and scientific interpretation at national parks across the country.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between efforts to present a sanitized, nationalist version of American history and the responsibility of national parks to truthfully and comprehensively educate the public about the full scope of the nation's past, including its complex and sometimes difficult realities. The fate of this case will shape the role of these public spaces in fostering a nuanced understanding of the American experience.