Critics say the Trump administration acted under the “cover of darkness” to replace an exhibit exploring the lives of nine enslaved people who lived at George Washington’s Philadelphia home with a version that is overly sympathetic to enslavers and that whitewashes the country’s origins. Because nothing says 'Restoring Truth and Sanity' like swapping out historical facts for a cozier narrative at 2 AM.

The installation of new information panels followed a six-month fight between the city of Philadelphia and the Trump administration over an enslavement memorial at the former home of Washington and John Adams. The National Park Service (NPS) removed the original panels on 22 January 2026 to conform with Trump’s executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” issued on 27 March 2025. After the city filed a lawsuit, Judge Cynthia M Rufe ordered the original panels reinstated on 16 February. NPS then reinstalled half the exhibit, leaving the site in limbo for months. The federal government appealed to the US third circuit, which ruled in mid-June that the exhibit could be replaced. On 3 July, a three-judge panel declared the Trump administration could install new panels. By the early morning of 15 July, NPS had replaced the original exhibit - which told the story of the nine enslaved people who served George and Martha Washington in the 1790s, when the US capital temporarily moved to Philadelphia - with new panels the administration contends gives a fuller picture of the nation’s origins. Nothing says 'fuller picture' like downplaying slavery.

“Overnight, under the cover of darkness, the federal government removed panels at the President’s House that told a thorough history of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Cherelle L Parker. “It was allowed to do this by the decision of the federal court, but that it did so at night shows it understands this action is shameful, that it violates community trust.” Indeed, if you're going to do something shameful, best do it when nobody can see you.

The removal comes amid an aggressive effort by Trump to dismantle diversity initiatives, using his executive authority to reshape how federally funded institutions present American history. His executive order directed the interior department to ensure historic sites do not display exhibits that “disparage Americans past or living”, prompting concerns that difficult chapters of US history are being sanitized. Because nothing says 'patriotism' like pretending the uncomfortable parts never happened.

A Department of Interior spokesperson said the new panels “acknowledge the evils of slavery, including its injustices and hypocrisies” and “remind us of their essential humanity.” One panel highlights Washington’s unease toward slavery, while another states that enslaved people in the President’s House “experienced a greater modicum of autonomy than elsewhere in the South such as to explore the city and sometimes even attend the theater, with Washington buying the tickets.” Because nothing says 'autonomy' like being bought tickets by your enslaver.

Philadelphia attorney Michael Coard scoffed at that notion and compared the administration’s actions to George Orwell’s 1984. “People should really be afraid. This is always the first step to fascism,” Coard told the Guardian. “What could theoretically happen if the president doesn’t like the Liberty Bell? So what do you do - you move the Liberty Bell? What if, because of immigration, the president doesn’t like the Statue of Liberty - do we get rid of the Statue of Liberty? This is a slippery slope.” Coard founded Avenging the Ancestors Coalition in 2002, which pushed for the original memorial. The city still has legal options, including seeking reconsideration from a 14-member third circuit court or appealing to the US Supreme Court. “Simply because he came in like a thief in the night and put up new panels,” Coard said, “doesn’t mean that a court can’t remove those mythological panels.”

Matt Hall, a Temple University professor who founded the grassroots group Old City Remembers, said he was disheartened but will continue to ensure history is preserved. Since February, more than 100 volunteers have stood at the site with informational packets sharing the original text. “Now is not the time to roll over and let them get away with rewriting the history in the way that they think it should be,” said Hall. Artist and activist Alyssa Bigbee, who volunteers with Avenging the Ancestors, said, “I’m disgusted that the administration is choosing to hide history, but the truth is, you can’t erase it. If it takes us on the ground educating people about the truth, then so be it. History will remember that we had cowards in office that chose to erase history and brave people who continue to fight against them.”