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Banner featuring Trump displayed on DOJ headquarters

Published  February 19, 2026 6:59pm EST
Donald J. Trump
FOX 5 Atlanta
article

FILE - A newly installed banner outside of the Department of Justice building in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • A large banner featuring President Donald Trump and the slogan "Make America Safe Again" was displayed outside the Department of Justice headquarters.
    • The move has been viewed by critics as a symbolic show of White House influence over the traditionally independent agency, though officials deny politicizing the department.
    • The display comes as the administration pursues investigations into several perceived political opponents, raising concerns about the DOJ’s role and independence. 

WASHINGTON - A large banner featuring President Donald Trump’s face has been displayed on the Department of Justice headquarters Thursday. 

The banner, hung between two columns on one corner of the building, says, "Make America Safe Again," a slogan used by the administration to tout its efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration and violent crime.

Why you should care:

Trump banners have hung outside other agencies across Washington, D.C., but the decision to place one over the DOJ appeared to be a power move and a symbol of the erosion of the department’s tradition of independence from White House control.

The other side:

Trump officials have rejected accusations that they have weaponized the Justice Department for political purposes, saying the Biden administration was the one that politicized law enforcement with two federal criminal cases against Trump that were abandoned after he won the 2024 election.

The Justice Department in a statement Thursday said it is proud to "celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction."

Big picture view:

The Trump administration has opened investigations into a number of the president's perceived enemies, amplifying concerns that the agency is being used to exact revenge on his political foes.

Federal prosecutors brought charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey that were later dismissed, and separately sought to indict several Democratic lawmakers in connection with a video in which they urged U.S. military members to resist "illegal orders."

The department is also investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over congressional testimony and Democratic Minnesota officials over whether they obstructed federal immigration enforcement through public statements.

The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press. 

Donald J. TrumpPoliticsWashington, D.C.