massive banner of U.S. President Donald Trump now hangs between two columns outside the headquarters of the Justice Department in Washington — the latest, highly visible way the president is marking his influence on the nation’s key institutions.
Unveiled on Thursday, the blue banner bears the slogan “Make America Safe Again,” and was installed in a prominent corner of the Justice Department’s main building.
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump hasn’t held back when it comes to putting his personal imprint on federal agencies. His administration has made sweeping changes: installing loyal supporters in powerful positions, reshaping policy bodies, renaming well‑known institutions, and distancing or removing officials tied to investigations involving him.
Critics warn that these symbolic assertions of control risk blurring the traditional separation between independent government functions and political leadership.
This isn’t the first time a Trump banner has popped up on a federal building. Last year, similar displays were placed on the Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. In December, a presidentially appointed board voted to add Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a move that sparked debate nationwide.
When asked about the latest banner, the Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But according to NBC News, a DOJ spokesperson said the department was “proud” to recognize its work under Trump’s direction in protecting national safety.
The Justice Department made headlines in recent years through high‑profile criminal cases. In 2023, former special counsel Jack Smith brought indictments against Trump related to classified documents and an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump repeatedly denied any wrongdoing — calling the cases political — and after winning the 2024 election, the charges were dropped under a DOJ policy that generally shields sitting presidents from prosecution.
Smith resigned shortly before Trump took office again in early 2025. In the months that followed, the department has reassigned or dismissed several officials who had been involved in investigations tied to the former president.
