The United States Park Police have confirmed the removal of a protest statue depicting former President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein on the National Mall. The artwork, which was placed near the U.S. Capitol, featured lines from Trump’s birthday message to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.
Authorities cited the removal as a necessary action to maintain public order and uphold the National Mall’s status as a protected space for official events and exhibitions. The statue was reportedly created as a form of protest, drawing attention to the controversial relationship between Trump and Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing minors. The Park Police have not commented further on the incident, but the removal highlights ongoing discussions about the role of public art and free speech in the United States.
Protest artists and civil liberties advocates have expressed concern over the removal, arguing that such artworks are a legitimate expression of free speech. However, the Park Police maintain that the statue violated park rules and posed a potential risk to public safety. This incident underscores the complex balance between artistic expression and the maintenance of public order, particularly in a historically significant location like the National Mall.