Massive Trump Banner at DOJ Sparks Fury: ‘Echoes of Authoritarianism’
On Thursday, a striking banner emblazoned with President Trump’s image and the phrase “Make America Safe Again” was installed at the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. The display has triggered a wave of outrage online, drawing parallels between the current administration and authoritarian governments.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for his vocal criticism of Trump, described the installation as “beyond parity.”
“How many dictatorship-style monuments, building name changes, and fake awards do Americans have to endure?” he posted on X, resonating with another commentator who remarked that the banner exuded totalitarian “North Korea vibes.”
Since Trump assumed office, there have been notable changes to prominent institutions, including the renaming of the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace to incorporate Trump’s name.
Newsom’s sentiments were echoed by other Democratic lawmakers. Representative Ted Lieu from California expressed his discontent on X, stating, “Americans believe in the rule of law. MAGA Republicans believe in the rule of Trump. November is coming.”
Critics have argued that such imagery undermines the Justice Department’s integrity as an independent body responsible for fair law enforcement.
“Trump is plastering his face on the building that’s supposed to investigate him,” Representative Jimmy Gomez, also from California, remarked on X. “There was once a time when a president couldn’t boss the Attorney General around like his own personal lapdog.”
The banner has not only drawn ire from politicians but also from commentators and journalists. Tom Nichols from The Atlantic noted on X, “Could also be Germany 1930s, Soviet Union 1950s. Could be many places, but shouldn't be America.”
Ken Dilanian pointed out the irony of the situation, given Republicans’ long-standing accusations that the Biden administration had politicized the DOJ.
“This is a stunning confirmation of the grim reality, which is that Donald Trump has seized control of the once independent Justice Department and is using it to pursue his political objectives—including trying to punish his perceived enemies,” he stated on X. “Exactly what his supporters baselessly accused the previous administration of doing.”
Critics have highlighted federal prosecutions against Trump adversaries like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James as evidence of a troubling erosion in the separation of powers.
The Trump administration defended the banner as part of broader efforts to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. A spokesperson for the DOJ stated, “We are proud at this Department of Justice to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction.”
This is not the first time such banners have appeared; similar displays featuring Trump’s likeness have previously been erected at the Departments of Agriculture and Labor, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars.
