Judge invokes George Orwell’s ‘1984’ in ordering restoration of Philadelphia slavery exhibit
The Hill
by Zach SchonfeldFebruary 16, 2026
A federal judge ordered the National Park Service to restore exhibits about slaves who lived at the nation’s one-time executive mansion in Philadelphia, agreeing with the city that the Trump administration likely unlawfully removed the displays. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe invoked the dystopian novel “1984” as she blocked the Trump administration from changing or damaging the site, which is now an outdoor exhibition. “As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s…
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Originally published on The Hill on 2/16/2026