Trump Triumphs in Battle to Erase Slavery and Climate Change from National Parks

A U.S. appeals court has put a stop to a judge's order demanding the reinstatement of numerous exhibits removed from national parks, covering contentious issues like slavery and climate change.

The three-judge panel from the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted a directive that required the National Park Service to restore displays eliminated under Donald Trump's administration, which targeted exhibits seen as "inappropriately disparaging Americans past or living."

However, the 1st Circuit panel, made up entirely of judges appointed by Democratic presidents, decided to pause Kelley's ruling while the administration pursues an appeal.

The court indicated that the government was likely to prevail on appeal, mainly because the plaintiffs failed to show that the policy would inflict irreparable harm during the ongoing litigation.

Brooke Menschel, a lawyer for the plaintiffs at Democracy Forward, labeled the ruling a disappointing but "temporary procedural setback," stressing that the court did not address the legality of the administration's actions.

"Unfortunately, for now, the decision allows the administration to continue removing and altering interpretive materials that are critical for millions of visitors to understand our nation's history," Menschel stated.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of the Interior claimed it has "encouraged Americans to visit our cultural and historic sites and engage in meaningful conversations about the moments that have shaped our country."

At least 51 exhibits across 37 sites nationwide have been removed or discarded from parks. These actions were taken to comply with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's implementation of an executive order signed by Donald Trump in March 2025.

Trump's executive order specifically targeted what he called a "revisionist movement" that portrayed the United States as "inherently racist, sexist, oppressive or otherwise irredeemably flawed," demanding changes across parks nationwide.

Among the exhibits removed was one at the President's House in Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park, detailing George Washington's ownership of enslaved people.

The lawsuit challenging these removals was initiated in February by groups including the National Parks Conservation Association and the American Association for State and Local History.

Judge Kelley, appointed by President Joe Biden, previously argued that without a preliminary injunction, these groups would suffer "aesthetic, recreational and informational harms."

Yet, the appeals court noted that only one member claimed specific harm without an injunction, based on the absence of park material that could educate her children.

The court concluded, "As the Department points out, however, the plaintiffs do not allege that any material has yet been removed from the parks that the member identifies as the ones that she has specific plans to visit this summer."