Chicago – June 13, 2026
A federal judge has mandated the Trump administration to reinstate historical exhibits and signage removed from national parks across the country. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking further alterations and ordering restoration within three weeks.
The ruling responds to a February lawsuit filed by conservation and historical organizations against National Park Service policies enforced under Trump’s March 2025 executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order directed removal of materials that “inappropriately disparage Americans” or cast the United States “in a negative light”.
Affected sites include Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, where exhibits on nine enslaved people at George Washington’s residence were deleted; Crater Lake National Park, where a sign describing basalt bubbles was removed after a visitor held a Pride flag; and Lowell National Historical Park, which lost labor history films.
Judge Kelley criticized the administration for sharing “half-truths” under the guise of “American dignity”. The administration must now submit weekly progress reports and restore all removed language by July 3, ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
