US appeals court blocks order to restore slavery memorials removed under Trump
A preliminary injunction mandating the Trump administration to restore monuments associated with slavery and racism, which were taken down from national parks, has been overturned by a US appeals court. The First Circuit Court of Appeals, located in Boston, has paused the reinstatement process while the legal proceedings continue. This removal was initiated following President Donald Trump's executive order in March 2025, named "Restoring Truth and Reason in American History," which instructed the Department of the Interior to assess memorials for their negative depictions of US history. After a federal judge mandated reinstatement within 21 days, a coalition of organizations filed a lawsuit, leading to the appeals court's stay of that order, with a final ruling still awaited.
Key facts
- US appeals court blocks order to restore removed slavery and racism memorials
- Trump's March 2025 executive order 'Restoring Truth and Reason in American History' prompted removals
- Department of Interior reviewed memorials for negative portrayals of US history
- Markers on slavery removed from George Washington's former residence in Philadelphia
- Climate change references also removed from national parks
- Coalition of historical, conservation, and scientific organizations sued
- Boston federal judge had ordered reinstatement within 21 days
- Appeals court stayed that order; final verdict pending
Entities
Institutions
- First Circuit Court of Appeals
- Department of the Interior
- National Park Service
- George Washington's former residence (Philadelphia)
Locations
- United States
- Boston
- Philadelphia