PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge warned Justice Department attorneys on Friday that they were making “dangerous” and “terrible” statements when they said the Trump administration could decide which parts of U.S. history are displayed at National Park Service sites.
A hearing in Philadelphia erupted into heated exchanges over the sudden removal of an exhibit on the history of slavery at the site of the former presidential residence on Independence Square.
The city partnered with the Park Service to put on the exhibit two decades ago, and this month people were surprised to see workers using crowbars to remove outdoor plaques, panels and other materials that told the stories of nine people who were enslaved there. Some of the history has only been unearthed in the past quarter century.
“Once you learn history, you can’t erase it. It doesn’t work that way,” said Senior U.S. District Judge Cynthia Roof, appointed by President George W. Bush.
The demolition comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to “restore truth and sanity” to American history at national museums, parks and landmarks. In Philadelphia, the materials were loaded into a pickup truck and stored, and Roof expressed concern about whether the materials were damaged.
“While many people feel strongly one way about this (exhibit), others may disagree or feel strongly another way,” said Gregory, the assistant U.S. attorney in Denbucken.
“Ultimately,” he said, “the government can choose the message it wants to send.”
Rufu quickly interrupted him.
“What you said is dangerous. It’s scary to hear,” she said. “Is it going to change at the whim of the person in charge? I’m sorry, that’s not what we elect anyone for.”
Roof heard hours of testimony Friday from former city officials who helped plan the display and said the city has invested $1.5 million in the project. She plans to visit the storage area and the site before ruling on the city’s request to reinstate the exhibit. But she asked Justice Department lawyers to make sure nothing else was interfered with.
In Denboken, the park service frequently changes its exhibits and tours, arguing that the government cannot be forced to tell a certain story. But the city’s attorneys and other advocates say the Park Service does not have “carte blanche” to interpret state history as it sees fit.
The exhibit includes biographical details about the nine people who were enslaved by George and Martha Washington at the Presidential Palace. Now, only their names—Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Hills, Richmond, Giles, Oney Judge, More and Joe—remain etched in the cement walls.
Michael Corder, an attorney with one of the advocacy groups supporting the display, said the president is ignoring the power held by Congress, the judiciary and the American people.
“It’s one thing to whisper this kind of authoritarian power. But to send lawyers into public courts to make this argument is absolutely terrifying,” he said. “I’m really concerned about the state of America.”
Roof said she plans to take office quickly, noting the large number of tourists expected to travel to the country’s birthplace this year to commemorate its 250th anniversary.
Residents who visited the site shed tears, left flowers and left a handmade sign that read “Slavery was real.”
