A federal judge appeared to lose her patience after President Donald Trump's administration did not follow an order to return a slavery exhibit to a Philadelphia museum.
In her order on Monday, Judge Cynthia Rufe invoked George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" to order the return of a slavery exhibit to the museum on the site of former President George Washington's home in Philadelphia.
"As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell's 1984 now existed, with its motto 'Ignorance is Strength,' this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims—to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts. It does not," Rufe said in her ruling.
The Trump administration responded by appealing the order without returning the exhibit.
In a late-Wednesdaay ruling, Rufe said she was giving Trump until Friday to restore the exhibit.
"AND NOW, this 18th day of February 2026, upon consideration of Defendant's failure to comply with this Court's February 16, 2026 Order to FORTHWITH follow terms and conditions of the Order, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants shall comply with the terms of this Court's February 16, 2026 Order by restoring the President's House site to its physical status as of January 21, 2026 by Friday, February 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM," the judge ordered.
Rufe noted that her court retained authority to enforce her orders despite the appeal.
"The Court is enforcing the deadline for FORTHWITH action, and this order does not modify the February 16, 2026 Order. Absent a stay granted by this Court or the Third Circuit, this Court must enforce its own order," she pointed out.
