National Park Service Removes Historical Panels Under Trump’s Executive Order

On January 22, 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) removed 34 panels detailing the lives of enslaved individuals who worked for George Washington from the President’s House in Philadelphia. This action was taken to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” issued on March 27, 2025. The order mandates the removal of public markers and exhibits deemed disparaging to historical figures, leading to similar removals across various national parks, including significant sites like the Little Bighorn battlefield in Montana and Muir Woods in California.

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In response to the removal of the panels, the city of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit against the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, seeking to reinstate the exhibit and prevent further alterations. On February 2, 2026, Judge Cynthia M. Rufe issued a temporary block against any additional changes to the President’s House.

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Critics, including Ed Stierli from the National Parks Conservation Association, argue that the NPS's actions undermine its credibility in presenting a comprehensive historical narrative. Stierli stated, “By removing this exhibit... visitors are going to miss out on the full picture of our nation’s history that deserves to be told in national parks.” He emphasized that the removal of these panels compromises the public's access to a well-rounded understanding of American history.

The Guardian

The executive order has drawn criticism from various scholars and historians. Dr. Leo K. Killsback, a Northern Cheyenne descendant and professor, described the order as divisive, stating, “Erasing history is an affront to the collective progress of human culture and thought.” He highlighted the importance of including Native perspectives in historical narratives, arguing that their omission perpetuates cultural genocide.

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Dr. Rasul Mowatt, a sociology and anthropology professor, noted the historical context of memorialization in the U.S., pointing out that the first monument dedicated to a Black person was not established until 1943. He remarked, “Official histories of the US... reflect what that country would like itself to be seen as,” indicating a long-standing pattern of selective historical representation.

The Guardian

The removal of historical panels has broader implications for how history is taught and understood in the United States. Stierli warned that the absence of these narratives makes history less accessible, particularly in locations where significant events occurred. He stated, “There’s a particular power that comes with learning about these stories in the place that they happened.”

The Guardian

The ongoing legal battle and public discourse surrounding these removals highlight the tension between historical accuracy and political narratives, raising questions about the future of historical representation in national parks.

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• “The National Park Service [has] made tremendous strides in recent decades in teaching the facts, the truth about difficult topics like slavery,” — Ed Stierli, National Parks Conservation Association

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• “When done correctly, history is based on facts, supported by evidence and presented objectively without an agenda or as propaganda.” — Dr. Leo K. Killsback, University of Arizona Law

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• “Erasing history is an affront to the collective progress of human culture and thought.” — Dr. Leo K. Killsback, University of Arizona Law

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• “The general public doesn’t quite understand the need to have complexity, to have depth and also to be comfortable in uncomfortable histories,” — Dr. Rasul Mowatt, North Carolina State University

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