Federal judge halts Trump administration's revisions to museum and park displays
A U.S. district judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Trump administration to reverse changes made to national museums, parks and landmarks and to pause further alterations.
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U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Trump administration to restore exhibits and signage altered under an executive order that sought to remove content deemed “inappropriately disparaging” of Americans. The order also bars any additional changes and mandates weekly status reports on compliance.
The injunction follows a February lawsuit filed by conservation and historical groups alleging that National Park Service policies forced staff to remove or censor exhibits covering topics such as slavery, climate change and other historically accurate information. Specific examples include the removal of displays about enslaved individuals at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia and a sign at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Arizona that featured a visitor holding a Pride flag.
"History cannot be faithfully told while excluding the experiences of communities whose contributions, struggles, and achievements form an important part of our Nation’s story," Judge Kelley wrote.
"Under the guise of promoting American dignity, this Administration seeks to share a limited history by ordering the removal of all signs, displays, and interpretive exhibits at National Parks that do not align with its preferred narrative, thereby telling half-truths," the judge added.
The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump and later reinforced by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, was described by the administration as restoring “truth and sanity” to American history. An email seeking comment from the Interior Department was sent on Saturday.
Alan Spears, senior director for cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, said the ruling will help protect parks from efforts he described as attempting to “erase history and science.” Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, noted the decision benefits park employees who aim to provide “truthful, accurate and unbiased information.”
