Trump Reportedly Ordered Removal of Image Highlighting Slavery’s Horrors

**Trump Officials Remove Iconic Image from Georgia National Monument**

In a move stirring controversy and debate, officials under the Trump administration have reportedly removed a renowned photograph depicting the scars of a formerly enslaved man from a national monument in Georgia. The image in question, “The Scourged Back,” is a powerful relic of the Civil War era, capturing the harrowing aftermath of brutality faced by enslaved individuals.

This photograph was taken in 1863 and features a man known only as Peter, his back atrociously scarred from repeated lashings—a haunting testimony to the atrocities of slavery. After escaping from a Louisiana plantation, Peter joined Union forces, and his image was widely circulated, galvanizing support for the abolitionist movement.

The reproduction of this image was said to be on display at the Fort Pulaski National Monument, known as a sanctuary for those escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad. The monument also holds historical significance as post-Union victory, where many former slaves joined black troop divisions.

The decision to remove this poignant photograph is part of a broader directive championed by Trump. An executive order was issued earlier to refocus national monuments and parks to highlight the “greatness” of American achievements, minimizing narratives that may “inappropriately disparage” past or present Americans.

The Department of the Interior (DOI), overseeing the National Park Service (NPS), denies claims of exhibit removals orchestrated under this directive, cautioning against unverified information propagated by some media sources.

This development is among several nationwide alterations prompted by the administration, including the recent removal of signage critiquing Confederate mythology at Manassas National Battlefield Park and changes addressing George Washington’s enslaved individuals at Independence National Historical Park.

As these changes unfold, critical voices highlight them as efforts to dilute painful, yet significant, parts of American history. The administration’s removal of inclusive references from the Stonewall National Monument website further underscores concerns of historical sanitization.

Independent outlets continue urging reader support to maintain critical, unbiased journalism amid these evolving narratives.