After a struggle for power between levels of the court, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals decided on June 18th, 2026, that the federal government had the power to remove a slavery exhibit from George Washington’s home in Philadelphia (NBC Philadelphia Staff). The censorship had first been made in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14253, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The decree sought to delve into federal lands and monuments, removing, censoring, and altering any information that the ruling administration deemed to have “improper ideology” (The White House). With the order, the National Park Service sent workers to remove certain information panels from George and Martha Washington’s Philadelphia house, due to including information detailing slavery and how the Washingtons had kept nine slaves in the house while living there.
The city of Philadelphia, joined by Governor Josh Shapiro, argued that the federal government had to consult the city before making changes to the site, as it was the municipality that provided both personnel and $1.5 million to help create it. Though lawyers from the Department of Justice argued that the federal government reserved the sole right to tell the narrative at National Park Service properties, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Cynthia M. Rufe, ordered the site’s restoration, and that no further changes could be made without the consideration of the City of Philadelphia (Mitman). However, this decision was appealed by the federal government, and did not last long.
In its decision, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals found that any power of the city in maintaining the historic site did not extend over the federal government. Indeed, the Court decided fully in favor of the Trump Administration, and the doors for federal change are now wide open. Still, the decision is facing hard pushback, with political figures like Governor Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker criticizing the action and vowing to fight for its repeal.
Author’s Note: As someone who grew up just outside the Philadelphia area, it’s an unbelievable thing to watch such injustice happen right in my own backyard. The African-American community has an incredibly rich culture and history within this nation, and so much of that comes from terrible struggles and atrocities they faced during the long era of slavery. Now, no matter what the Trump Admin. may say, removing information regarding slavery, even if it somewhat tarnishes the image of our first President, is reprehensible. History must be honored and accepted for simply what it was, so that we as a nation can move forward with grace and understanding, and any attempt to censor or blot out history’s ugliest faces will only lead to greater harm. Donald Trump claims that exhibits like this “deepen societal divides and foster a sense of national shame” (The White House). This could not be farther from the truth; Indeed, plaques like the ones seen at the President’s house are necessary to understand the nuance and hard-won achievements of our nation, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. The censorship by the ruling administration simply cannot last, and I ask anyone reading this to push back, call your representative’s office, and never let this tyranny stand.
– Jack Mattiacci
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