Exposes City’s Lawsuit Over Trump-Ordered Exhibit Removal

The Lawsuit and Its Claims

The suit, filed in federal court, names the Interior Department and its Secretary Doug Burgum, the National Park Service (NPS) and its acting director Jessica Bowron, and seeks a preliminary injunction. The documents state, “Without notice to the City of Philadelphia, the National Park Service has removed artwork and informational displays at the President’s House site referencing slavery.”

A park employee told the paper, “I’m just following my orders,” insisting he had been instructed by his supervisor to take down the displays earlier that day. The lawsuit notes that the removal was “presumably pursuant to the mandate in the Executive Order,” tying the action directly to the Trump directive.

The Executive Order

Key excerpts include:

• “At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – where our Nation declared that all men are created equal – the prior administration sponsored training by an organization that advocates dismantling ‘Western foundations’ and ‘interrogating institutional racism’ and pressured National Historical Park rangers that their racial identity should dictate how they convey history to visiting Americans because America is purportedly racist.”
• “Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth… This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.”

The order calls for federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure “accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values.”

Reactions and Statements

The City of Philadelphia accused the defendants of providing “no explanation at all for their removal of the historical, educational displays at the President’s House site, let alone a reasoned one.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro weighed in on X, writing, “Donald Trump will take any opportunity to rewrite and whitewash our history. But he picked the wrong city – and he sure as hell picked the wrong Commonwealth.” He added, “We learn from our history in Pennsylvania, even when it’s painful.”

An Interior Department spokesperson, Elizabeth Peace, said the agency “does not have comment on litigation matters.” In a statement, she noted, “The President has directed federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values.” She added, “Following completion of the required review, the National Park Service is now taking action to remove or revise interpretive materials in accordance with the Order.”

The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The City’s legal team also reached out to the mayor’s office for input.

Broader Cultural Crackdown

The exhibit removal is part of a wider pattern. Earlier in August, the White House sent a letter to the Smithsonian, urging the institution to align its museums with the president’s vision. Eight Smithsonian museums were directed to review and update their exhibitions, internal communications, featured artists, and more.

The President’s House displays, titled “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery,” served as a memorial to the nine documented slaves owned by George Washington. Their removal left an empty wall at Independence National Historical Park.

Legal Implications

The lawsuit seeks to halt the removal of historical displays and to require the federal agencies to provide a rationale for their actions. A preliminary injunction, if granted, would prevent further removal until the court can review the merits of the case.

The case underscores the tension between executive authority and local control over public historical interpretation. It also highlights the broader debate over how the United States confronts its slavery legacy in national institutions.

Key Takeaways

• The City of Philadelphia is suing the Trump administration over the removal of slavery exhibits at the President’s House.
• The lawsuit is tied to Executive Order No. 14253, which calls for a review of interpretive materials.
• The removal of displays that memorialized the nine documented slaves owned by George Washington has sparked criticism from local officials and the public.
• The case may set a precedent for how federal directives interact with local historical preservation efforts.

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Timeline of Events

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About the Author

Daniel J. Whitman reports on national policy and cultural issues for News Of Los Angeles.