Judge calls Justice Department's statements on slavery exhibit display
'dangerous' and 'horrifying'
[January 31, 2026]
By MARYCLAIRE DALE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge warned Justice Department lawyers on
Friday that they were making “dangerous” and “horrifying” statements
when they said the Trump Administration can decide what part of American
history to display at National Park Service sites.
The sharp exchange erupted during a hearing in Philadelphia over the
abrupt removal of an exhibit on the history of slavery at the site of
the former President’s House on Independence Mall.
The city, which worked in tandem with the park service on the exhibit
two decades ago, was stunned to find workers this month using crowbars
to remove outdoor plaques, panels and other materials that told the
stories of the nine people who had been enslaved there. Some of the
history had only been unearthed in the past quarter-century.
“You can’t erase history once you’ve learned it. It doesn’t work that
way,” said Senior U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, an appointee of
President George W. Bush.
The removal followed President Donald Trump’s executive order “restoring
truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks and
landmarks. In Philadelphia, the materials were put in a pickup truck and
then into storage, leading Rufe to voice concerns about whether they
were damaged.
“Although many people feel strongly about this (exhibit) one way, other
people may disagree or feel strongly another way,” said Assistant U.S.
Attorney Gregory in den Berken.
“Ultimately,” he said, “the government gets to choose the message it
wants to convey.”
Rufe swiftly cut him off.
“That is a dangerous statement you are making. It is horrifying to
listen to,” she said. “It changes on the whims of someone in charge? I’m
sorry, that is not what we elected anybody for.”
Rufe heard hours of testimony Friday from former city officials who had
helped plan the exhibit, and said the city had kicked in $1.5 million
toward the project. She plans to visit both the storage area and the
site before ruling on the city’s request to have the exhibit restored.
But she asked the Justice Department lawyers to ensure that nothing else
is disturbed.
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A person moves to photograph the location of the now removed
explanatory panels that were part of an exhibit on slavery at
President's House Site in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP
Photo/Matt Rourke)
In den Berken said the Park Service routinely changes its exhibits
and tours, and argued that the government cannot be forced to tell a
certain story. But lawyers for the city and other advocates said the
park service does not have “carte blanche” to interpret the nation’s
history as it sees fit.
The exhibit includes biographical details about the nine people
enslaved by George and Martha Washington at the presidential
mansion. Now, only their names — Austin, Paris, Hercules,
Christopher Sheels, Richmond, Giles, Oney Judge, Moll and Joe —
remain engraved into a cement wall.
Michael Coard, an attorney representing one of the advocacy groups
supporting the exhibit, said the president was ignoring the power
held by Congress, the judiciary and the American people.
“It’s one thing to whisper that type of dictatorial power. But to
send lawyers into a public courtroom to make that argument is
absolutely frightening,” he said. “I'm really worried about the
state of America.”
Rufe said she planned to rule quickly, noting the surge of visitors
expected to visit the nation's birthplace this year to mark its
250th anniversary of being founded.
Residents who have visited the site have shed tears, left flowers
and left a handmade sign that said “Slavery was real.”
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