A large banner displaying the image of President Donald Trump was hung on the facade of the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, signaling what observers describe as a clear demonstration of the president’s influence over an agency that previously investigated him.
The placement of the banner, which reads “Make America Safe Again,” is particularly striking given the Justice Department’s traditional commitment to independence from political interference. While similar banners have appeared at other federal departments – including the Department of Labor (“American workers first”) and the Department of Agriculture (“growing America”) – the decision to install one at the Justice Department carries a unique weight, given its history of investigating and prosecuting individuals within the Trump administration and those connected to it.
A Department of Justice spokesperson stated that the department is “proud to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction.” The White House deferred questions about the banner to the DOJ.
The banner’s appearance comes after a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the Justice Department’s actions under Trump’s second term. Accusations of targeting political opponents have been frequent, with investigations launched into figures such as former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Investigations were initiated into Democratic representatives who participated in a video urging service members to disobey potentially unlawful orders.
The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has increasingly aligned itself with the president’s agenda, a departure from the approach of previous administrations that prioritized maintaining a distance between the White House and law enforcement to ensure impartiality. Trump officials have consistently denied allegations of weaponizing the Justice Department, asserting that the previous administration was the one that politicized law enforcement.
Notably, federal criminal cases brought against Comey and James were dismissed in 2024 after Trump’s re-election, with Special Counsel Jack Smith citing a long-standing DOJ policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in these cases.
The investigations into Powell and Minnesota officials are ongoing. The Justice Department is examining whether Powell’s congressional testimony was improper and whether Minnesota officials obstructed federal immigration enforcement through their public statements.
Former FBI Director James Comey reacted to the banner on social media, calling it “sickening to see” and noting that the administration “forgot to cover the inscription” on the building itself, which reads, “Where law ends tyranny begins.”
The Trump administration has also proposed a series of events and projects leading up to the country’s 250th anniversary, including an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington. However, the banner at the Justice Department does not reference the anniversary or include the associated logo.
