PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate exhibits detailing the enslaved people who lived and worked at George Washington’s Philadelphia residence, ruling that the government lacks the authority to erase or alter historical truths. The decision comes after the abrupt removal of the displays last month, sparking outrage and a legal challenge.
The case centers on Independence National Historical Park, where Washington resided as president from 1790 to 1797. Exhibits had been installed to acknowledge the nine enslaved individuals Washington held captive at the site. The National Park Service removed these exhibits without public notice, leading the city of Philadelphia and other supporters of the display to file a lawsuit. The core issue, as Judge Cynthia M. Rufe articulated, is whether the government can unilaterally decide which historical narratives are presented on federal property.
