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19m ago

Interior Defends Park Exhibit Reviews as Coalition Sues to Halt Removals

Plaintiffs seek to void Secretary’s Order 3431 to restore removed materials systemwide.

The Gunnison River begins its flow into the deep canyons of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado.
Muir Woods rangers lead a discussion on different historical narratives with a student group. This exhibit called "History Under Construction" has been targeted by the Trump administration for removal. (NPS/ Jace Ritchey)

Overview

  • A coalition including the National Parks Conservation Association, Association of National Park Rangers, Union of Concerned Scientists, American Association for State and Local History, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, and others filed suit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
  • The complaint links the removals to President Donald Trump’s March 27, 2025 executive order and to Secretary’s Order 3431, which directed reviews of park interpretive content.
  • Examples cited include the 2021 “History Under Construction” exhibit taken down at Muir Woods, the January removal of panels about enslaved people at Philadelphia’s President’s House site, and climate-threat signage pulled at Fort Sumter.
  • The Interior Department says the review ensures parks tell a full and accurate story and questioned NPCA’s nonpartisanship, and Newsweek reported it could not verify the department’s fundraising claims about the group.
  • The lawsuit asks the court to halt enforcement of Order 3431 and restore content addressing climate change, sea level rise, LGBTQ rights, slavery, and racism, while related park policy disputes continue in court, including a Philadelphia restoration order now on appeal and a separate case over the Stonewall Pride flag.