February 18, 2026
Judge Ruins Trump Admin's Plans For Orwellian Removal Of Slavery Exhibit
Ignorance is strength!
TL;DR
- The Trump administration attempted to reshape American culture by minimizing historical events such as slavery.
- The administration directed the National Parks Service to remove exhibits, plaques, and films that did not align with their viewpoint or celebrated achievements of non-white, non-Christian, non-heterosexual men.
- Examples include the removal of the pride flag at Stonewall and barring a film about immigrant women workers at Lowell National Historical Park.
- A federal judge ordered the National Parks Service to reinstate an exhibit on slavery in the Philadelphia mansion that served as the presidential residence for George Washington and John Adams.
- The exhibit at The President's House was intended to commemorate not only presidents but also the nine slaves George Washington brought there.
- The administration's directive aimed to ensure exhibits 'do not inappropriately disparage Americans past or living' and instead focus on 'greatness and progress'.
- Philadelphia sued the administration, arguing the removal violated agreements for the management of Independence National Historical Park.
- The administration argued for the government's right to free speech and to align federal properties with its viewpoint.
- US District Judge Cynthia Rufe rejected the administration's argument, comparing it to Orwell's 1984 and stating the government does not have the power to disassemble historical truths.
- The judge also found the removal of Oney Judge's story (Martha Washington's escaped maid) violated the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998.
- The administration stated they would update exhibits to provide a 'fuller account' of slavery, which the author suspects will be a distorted version.
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