Large Trump Banner Hung on Justice Department Headquarters

The display raises concerns over the erosion of the department's independence from White House control.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A large banner featuring former President Donald Trump's face was hung on the exterior of the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. The banner, which says "Make America Safe Again," is seen as a striking symbol of the Trump administration's efforts to exert power over the law enforcement agency that once investigated him.

Why it matters

The decision to place a Trump banner on the Justice Department building raises concerns about the erosion of the department's tradition of independence from White House control. Under the Trump administration, the Justice Department has been accused of being used to investigate the president's perceived political enemies, amplifying fears that the agency is being weaponized for political purposes.

The details

The banner was hung between two columns on one corner of the Justice Department building. Attorney General Pam Bondi has aligned herself closely with the president, in contrast to previous attorneys general who sought to maintain an arms-length distance from the White House. Trump officials have rejected accusations of politicizing the Justice Department, claiming it was the Biden administration that did so with criminal cases against Trump that were later abandoned.

  • The banner was hung on the Justice Department headquarters on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former Republican president whose face is featured on the banner hung on the Justice Department building.

Pam Bondi

The current Attorney General who has aligned herself closely with the president, in contrast to previous attorneys general.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who was charged by the Trump Justice Department, with the charges later dismissed.

James Comey

The former FBI Director who was also charged by the Trump Justice Department, with the charges later dismissed.

Jerome Powell

The Federal Reserve Chair who is currently being investigated by the Justice Department.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Justice Department has not yet commented on the banner or the concerns raised over its independence.

The takeaway

The hanging of a large Trump banner on the Justice Department headquarters is a concerning symbol of the erosion of the department's tradition of independence from White House control. This move raises questions about the politicization of the agency and its ability to carry out impartial investigations and prosecutions.