A prominent banner showcasing the likeness of Donald Trump was unfurled on the facade of the U.S. Justice Department headquarters on Thursday, illustrating the Republican president’s push to wield influence over the law enforcement institution that previously probed him. While Trump banners have been displayed outside various agencies in Washington, the decision to place one on the iconic Justice Department edifice symbolized a notable departure from the department’s historical autonomy from White House oversight.
The banner, suspended between two columns on a corner of the building, bears the message, “Make America Safe Again,” a slogan employed by the administration to highlight its initiatives to combat illegal immigration and violent crime. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has positioned herself as a staunch advocate and defender of the president, differing from past officeholders who aimed to maintain a distance from the White House to safeguard the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions. Officials from the Trump administration have refuted claims of politicizing the Justice Department, asserting that it was the Biden administration that injected politics into law enforcement by pursuing two federal criminal cases against Trump, which were dropped following his 2024 election victory.
In a statement on Thursday, the Justice Department expressed pride in commemorating “250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again as directed by President Trump.” The administration’s scrutiny of individuals perceived as adversaries has raised concerns that the department is being exploited to settle scores with political opponents. Charges brought against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey were ultimately dismissed, and separate efforts were made to indict several Democratic lawmakers for urging U.S. military personnel to defy “illegal orders” in a video.
Comey condemned the banner in a social media post, deeming it “sickening” and pointing out that it failed to conceal the inscription on one side of the building that reads, “Where law ends tyranny begins.” Additionally, the department is conducting investigations into U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for his congressional testimony and Democratic officials in Minnesota for potentially impeding federal immigration enforcement through public declarations.