Tourists view an exhibit titled “The Dirty Business of Slavery” at the President’s House on August 9, 2025 in Philadelphia. (Photo: Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Saturday he would take legal action against the federal government over its decision to remove a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
“It is important that we do not allow them to succeed,” he said.
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During his book launch “Where We Keep the Light” at the Central Parkway Library in Philadelphia was sharply criticized by Shapiro President Donald Trump’s administration on the Interior Department’s actions on Thursday to remove an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington at the Presidential Palace. He accused the federal government of trying to divide people while whitewashing the nation’s shared history.
According to the administration, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker Questioner from Philadelphiafiled the lawsuit Thursday and said the city and the federal government signed a cooperative agreement in 2006 that may require advance notice of location changes, and added that the city is considering its options.
Shapiro said he is working closely with the Parker administration and will file an amicus brief to support it.
“We are exploring ways to re-place these displays on nearby city- or state-owned land,” Shapiro said.
Noting that the nation is celebrating its 250th birthday, Shapiro emphasized the importance of acknowledging history.
“How can we move forward if we don’t know our history” – Shapiro. “How can we move forward if we don’t remember where we come from?”
“These signs are not just signs. They are not just metal and ink,” he added. “This is our common history.”
ABC News on Friday said an Interior Department spokesman said the move was consistent with Trump’s March 2025 executive order to remove “a racist ideology that divides and focuses on race” and narratives of federal cultural institutions.
However, US Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), a Trump ally, also expressed his opposition to removing the display, comparing it to his opposition to renaming some military bases.
“Our history is our history. It is our willingness to learn from it that makes America unique and the greatest country on Earth on our path to becoming a more perfect union,” McCormick wrote in part social media post on Saturday.
Shapiro expressed confidence that they would be able to restore the display.
Shapiro says he’s ready to protect votes ahead of the midterm elections
Shapiro said he “fully expects” Trump will “continue to try to undermine our elections” ahead of the 2026 midterms, in response to a question posed to the moderator by an audience member.
“We will continue to hold free, fair and secure elections,” he said. “I will do everything in my power to stop anyone from depriving you of your vote in the midterms.”
Shapiro, who was elected governor in 2022, will seek a second term in November. His likely opponent is pro-Trump Republican state treasurer Stacy Garrity.
He was referring to his time as state attorney general during the 2020 election, when Trump sued the state 43 times in an attempt to overturn the election, but was unsuccessful.
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“Suffice it to say, we’re on it. We’re prepared,” Shapiro said. “We will do everything we can to protect your voice. It is your power and we will protect it.”
Throughout the event, Shapiro sharply criticized Trump on a variety of issues, including his administration’s actions toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Outside the event, protesters gathered call on the Shapiro administration not to cooperate with ICE.
But he also said Democrats must do more than just fight Trump, but must make an effort to improve citizens’ lives. Shapiro touched on typical themes from his speeches on the importance of investing in education and public safety, while working with Republicans who hold a majority in the state Senate.
Recalling the arson, Shapiro emphasizes the power of prayer
Throughout much of the program, Shapiro, along with Salem Baptist Church pastor Marshall Mitchell, talked about how his faith shaped his life and career.
Shapiro said he wasn’t writing the book until five months after Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer bombed the governor’s residence while his family and guests slept after Passover.
He said that the power of prayers from people of different professions lifted him and his family at this complex moment.
Shapiro also described growing up in a house built around religion in Montgomery County, noting that he attended a religious school and celebrated Shabbat dinner with his family on Friday. He said he and his wife, First Lady Lori Shapiro, are raising their children to be connected to their faith.
After the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, Shapiro said he heard from frightened Jews and said he felt a responsibility to speak more openly about the faith as anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry rise.
Vice President Kamala Harris, mentioned in the book, has named Shapiro as her 2024 running mate. he reportedly asked if the governor ever been an agent of Israel. CNN reports that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, whom Harris picked as vice president, was also asked if he had ever been an agent of China. Shapiro did not mention her during the event.
Many elected officials were in attendance, including Republican U.S. Dwight Evans (Philadelphia), State Senator Sharif Street (Philadelphia), numerous members of the House of Representatives, and a representative from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office.
State Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) was noticed outdoors during an immigration protest.
The year 2028 is on the horizon
As Shapiro seeks a second term as governor, he has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the White House in 2028.
Mitchell, who served as moderator, ended the event by noting that Shapiro often talks about basketball in the book and made the analogy of a governor wanting the ball in his hand to be able to make a shot.
“There are a lot of people in this room listening to you and counting on you to take the shot,” Mitchell said. “Now and in the near future.”
The next stops on Shapiro’s book tour are New York on Tuesday, Boston on Wednesday and Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
