Judge Calls DOJ's Statements On Slavery Exhibit Display 'Dangerous' And 'Horrifying' [View all]

Source: Huff Post/AP

Jan 30, 2026, 06:36 PM EST


PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge warned Justice Department lawyers on Friday that they were making “dangerous” and “horrifying” statements when they said the Trump Administration can decide what part of American history to display at National Park Service sites. The sharp exchange erupted during a hearing in Philadelphia over the abrupt removal of an exhibit on the history of slavery at the site of the former President’s House on Independence Mall.

The city, which worked in tandem with the park service on the exhibit two decades ago, was stunned to find workers this month using crowbars to remove outdoor plaques, panels and other materials that told the stories of the nine people who had been enslaved there. Some of the history had only been unearthed in the past quarter-century. “You can’t erase history once you’ve learned it. It doesn’t work that way,” said Senior U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, an appointee of President George W. Bush.

The removal followed President Donald Trump’s executive order “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks. In Philadelphia, the materials were put in a pickup truck and then into storage, leading Rufe to voice concerns about whether they were damaged. “Although many people feel strongly about this (exhibit) one way, other people may disagree or feel strongly another way,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory in den Berken. “Ultimately,” he said, “the government gets to choose the message it wants to convey.”

Rufe swiftly cut him off. “That is a dangerous statement you are making. It is horrifying to listen to,” she said. “It changes on the whims of someone in charge? I’m sorry, that is not what we elected anybody for.”

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/judge-calls-dojs-slavery-exhibit-comments-dangerous_n_697d3eb1e4b0b1de95c1c9e5?origin=home-latest-news-unit

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This is a big story locally here in Philly. This was a Shrub judge and she is scheduled to actually visit the site and storage area Monday to see what was removed and the condition of those items after removal.