Overview
- U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a preliminary injunction on Friday that stops further changes to signage and exhibits at National Park Service sites and directs the government to undo past alterations.
- The order requires officials to restore removed or altered materials within 21 days, roughly in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary, and to file weekly status reports to the court on compliance.
- A coalition of conservation, historical and science groups sued in February, arguing the parks removals violated the National Park Service Organic Act and the Administrative Procedure Act and documenting examples such as slavery panels in Philadelphia and climate-threat signs at Fort Sumter.
- The Interior Department criticized the ruling, called Judge Kelley a "liberal activist judge," and said it is reviewing options to appeal while related litigation and appellate proceedings continue.
- Legal experts and advocates say the case could set a precedent for how far a president may direct changes to museum and park interpretation, affect how staff present difficult histories and shape public access to scientific and historical information.