Nationwide — A federal judge has temporarily stopped the U.S. National Park Service from removing or altering slavery and civil rights exhibits in national parks. The ruling also orders the restoration of materials already taken down while a legal challenge continues over a Trump-era directive.
The decision pauses a policy linked to President Donald Trump that directed national parks to remove or revise content considered “negative” or critical of the United States. It limits how the National Park Service can carry out changes to historical displays across the country.
According to the New York Times, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued the order after reviewing a lawsuit filed by advocacy groups. She required the agency to restore any exhibits that were removed or altered within three weeks while the court case moves forward.
The disputed policy came from an executive order that instructed parks to remove materials that allegedly “disparage Americans.” In response, the National Park Service removed or changed several displays connected to slavery, climate change, and Indigenous history.
In her ruling, Kelley said the actions went too far, writing that they “undermine the integrity of the national parks” and create “a dangerous precedent of censorship and sanitization.”
At several major sites, the changes were already visible. At Independence National Historical Park, plaques discussing slavery were taken down. At Fort Sumter National Monument, a sign referencing climate change was removed. At Acadia National Park, a display about Indigenous history was also altered or removed.
The lawsuit argued these actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The coalition of groups behind the case said the agency exceeded its authority and failed to provide proper justification for the changes.
Judge Kelley, who was nominated by Joseph R. Biden Jr., said national parks exist to preserve the full scope of American history. She pointed to places like Stonewall National Monument as examples of sites that reflect complex and layered historical narratives.
She wrote that “the national parks preserve the multifaceted and multilayered history of our nation, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior said it is reviewing its options for appeal following the ruling. A spokeswoman described the decision as politically driven and said the agency would determine its next steps.
Emily Thompson of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks said the ruling supports efforts to maintain historical accuracy in public sites. She said national parks should reflect the full American story, not a selective version of it.
Following the court order, the National Park Service instructed staff to pause any further changes tied to the directive. Parks may still submit materials for review, but implementation has been put on hold pending further guidance.