June 30, 2026

At a time when the Trump Administration is quickly altering public interpretations of history and removing references to the past on websites and public spaces, it is vital that historians keep track of what is changing. The Early Republic Tracker is dedicated to documenting instances where the federal government is removing facts and stories essential to the public’s understanding American history from public historical sites, museums, websites, and executive agencies.

Where/When did the changes take place?

• Changes to interpretation at public history sites in Philadelphia (Independence National Historical Park and the Second Bank of the United States) took place sometime around June, 2026

What changed?

• A portrait of Thomas Jefferson hanging at the Second Bank of the United States was scrubbed of all mentions of slavery: the former text mentioned that Jefferson “never solved the problem of slavery” and was “unable to determine how to let go of the notorious system,” while the new signage includes no language about slavery. Other mentions of slavery and enslaved people have been removed from interpretive panels at the site. At Independence National Historical Park, a touchscreen which formerly discussed the circumstances of “accused fugitives from slavery” now refers to “individuals accused of crimes of the period,” again eliminating any mention of slavery.

Why does the change matter?

• This represents an ongoing attempt by the Trump administration to whitewash U.S. history in accordance with his executive order to eliminate content that it deems to “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”

Evidence of change?

• “Trump administration quietly removed mentions of slavery from Independence Hall, Thomas Jefferson portrait,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 29, 2026, https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/independence-hall-second-bank-gallery-slavery-mentions-removed-trump-administration-20260629.html.