A federal District Court in Philadelphia (Cynthia M. Rufe) has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the National Park Service to restore a display commemorating the role of enslaved persons who lived in the house that George Washington occupied while serving as the first President of the United States. The House display is part of Independence National Historical Park, located a block away from Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order of March 27, 2025 entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” the Park Service had unilaterally removed the exhibit showing the “paradox” of Washington bringing enslaved people to work and live in the house while fulfilling his duties as the first President of the new nation.
“As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed, with its motto ‘Ignorance is Strength,’” the Court began its opinion, “this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims — to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts. It does not.”
The Court recites the long history of the development of the Park and its Washington House display, with extensive agreements with the City of Philadelphia and commitments that the Park Service would not modify the presentation without consultation and agreement with the City. The Court ultimately concludes that the City is likely to prevail on its argument that the Park Service acted arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act in taking the unilateral actions that it did.
The Court had held an evidentiary hearing in the case at which the government presented no evidence but argued that the government’s right of free speech should not be infringed.
“Restoration of the President’s House does not infringe upon the government’s free speech,” the Court wrote. “Nor is the government prevented from conveying whatever message it wants to send by wiping away the history of the greatest Founding Father’s management of persons he held in bondage. President Washington’s house would not merit designation as a historic site if he had not commanded the army that won the Revolutionary War, whose presence presiding over the Constitutional Convention graced it with the gravitas and spirit necessary to the creation of our government’s foundational document, and his restraint and modesty radiated strength and wisdom that defines the ideal chief executive to this day. The government can convey a different message without restraint elsewhere if it so pleases, but it cannot do so to the President’s House until it follows the law and consults with the City.” (City of Philadelphia v. Burgum, E.D. PA, No.26-434, 2/16/26.)
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