Trump officials order removal of photograph of enslaved man’s scars

President Trump has ordered the removal of images and exhibits about slavery from U.S. national parks, including the famous Civil War photo “The Scourged Back.” The move is part of an executive order targeting “divisive” interpretations of American history. The order instructs the Interior Department to remove displays critical of historic American figures, including materials on racism, sexism, gay rights, and the treatment of Indigenous people. Critics warn that the policy gives the federal government broader control over how history is presented, while the White House says no final decision has been made and the exhibits remain under review. Trump’s directive also extends to the Smithsonian, with Vice President J.D. Vance overseeing the removal of what Trump calls “race-centered ideology” from Smithsonian museums and research centers.