Court Blocks Park Service From Restricting Anti-Trump Protest in Washington

July 1, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

A federal court in Washington, DC has blocked the National Park Service from revoking a protest permit or confiscating property belonging to a group holding an ongoing demonstration critical of US President Donald Trump, ruling that the group’s signs and flags are protected speech under the First Amendment.

The ruling, issued by US District Judge Randolph D. Moss, followed a lawsuit filed by Accountability NOW USA, which argued that threats by the Park Service to withdraw its permit violated its constitutional right to free expression.

The group has maintained a 24-hour protest in Washington, DC since December 2025 calling for Trump’s impeachment and removal from office. The demonstration included signs and messages criticising the president, which the Park Service described as obscene and potentially grounds for permit cancellation.

The dispute escalated after the National Park Service also objected to the group displaying a flag marked “8647”, which the organisation said represented its call for Trump’s impeachment and removal. The administration considered the flag a threat.

The American Civil Liberties Union of DC represented Accountability NOW in the case, arguing that the government could not restrict political speech based on its content.

After a hearing on June 23, the court treated the group’s request for a preliminary injunction as a request for final judgment. In the ruling, Judge Moss granted the group’s motion and issued a permanent injunction preventing the Park Service from taking enforcement action against the protest materials.

The judge wrote that the group’s signs and flag were within the scope of protected First Amendment speech and that the government had not provided a sufficient basis to restrict the expression.

“We are pleased that the Court has upheld our First Amendment right to display signs addressing the President’s alleged sex crimes, as well as our peaceful 8647 flags and artwork,” said Anita Carey, an organiser with Accountability NOW USA.

The ACLU said the decision reinforced limits on government authority to restrict political expression, particularly speech directed at elected officials.

“Again and again, the National Park Service has tried to shut down this speech simply because it is critical of Donald Trump,” said Aditi Shah, a staff attorney at ACLU-D.C.

The ruling allows the protest to continue without the group facing permit revocation or seizure of its materials by the Park Service.

Source: FSX Business News