Justice Department Building Briefly Mistaken For Campaign Headquarters After Trump Banner Installation
A massive “Make America Safe Again” banner featuring Donald Trump now hangs on the Department of Justice headquarters, prompting renewed debate over the agency’s independence and loyalty.
The Department of Justice headquarters in Washington briefly resembled a mid-cycle campaign rally after a large banner featuring President Donald Trump’s face was installed on its exterior Thursday.
The banner, positioned between two columns on the building, reads: “Make America Safe Again.” The slogan has been widely used by the administration to promote its immigration enforcement and crime policies. Its placement at the justice department marks one of the most visible symbols yet of the president’s influence over the agency that once investigated him.
Trump banners have appeared outside other federal buildings. The justice department, however, carries a particular historical expectation of independence from White House control — an expectation currently undergoing reinterpretation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has embraced a posture of open alignment with the president, departing from predecessors who sought visible distance to preserve prosecutorial impartiality. The department stated it was proud to celebrate 250 years of the country’s history and its work “at President Trump’s direction.”
Administration officials reject claims that the department has been politicized, arguing that federal cases brought against Trump during the Biden administration were themselves political. Those cases were later abandoned after Trump’s 2024 election victory.
Since returning to office, the administration has opened investigations into several individuals viewed as political adversaries. Federal prosecutors filed charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey; those cases were dismissed. The department has also examined Democratic lawmakers over public statements encouraging military members to resist what they described as unlawful orders.
Additional investigations have targeted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Minnesota Democratic officials over immigration enforcement issues.
The banner now overlooking Constitution Avenue delivers a visual message that requires little interpretation.
For generations, the justice department emphasized institutional independence.
Today, the branding is clearer.
The columns remain.
The motto remains.
The face is new.
And for visitors approaching the building, the question may briefly arise:
Is this law enforcement — or campaign decor?
Officials say it is about safety.
Critics say it is about symbolism.
The banner says both.
