Banner Bearing Donald Trump’s Name Unveiled Outside U.S. Justice Department
A large blue banner bearing the name and slogan of Donald Trump has been displayed outside the headquarters of the United States Department of Justice, underscoring the president’s growing imprint on federal institutions in Washington.
The banner, positioned between two columns at the agency’s entrance, carries the slogan “Make America Safe Again” and marks the latest effort by Trump to reinforce his identity across key government buildings since returning to office last year.
Since beginning his second term in January 2025, Trump has overseen a series of institutional changes, including the appointment of loyalists to senior positions, the renaming of certain public facilities, and the removal or reassignment of officials associated with investigations linked to his earlier administration.
Critics argue that these actions risk blurring the traditional boundary between political authority and the independence of federal agencies.
Similar banners featuring the president’s name or image have previously been installed at several public institutions, including the United States Institute of Peace, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Agriculture.
In December, a board appointed by the president voted to add Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Questions regarding the latest banner display were directed by the White House to the Justice Department. Officials at the department did not immediately respond, though a spokesperson quoted by media outlet NBC News said the agency was “proud” to highlight its “historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction.”
Trump’s relationship with the Justice Department has been marked by controversy. In 2023, then-special counsel Jack Smith secured indictments accusing Trump of improperly retaining classified documents after his first term and attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Trump consistently denied the allegations, describing the cases as politically motivated.
Following Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, the Justice Department dropped both cases, citing long-standing policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Smith subsequently resigned days before Trump returned to the White House.
Since resuming office, the administration has dismissed or reassigned several officials involved in investigations related to the president, reflecting a broader shift in the department’s leadership and operational priorities.
