Trump Moves to Install Columbus Statue Near White House

Statue previously thrown into Baltimore's harbor to be loaned to federal government

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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President Donald Trump is taking steps to install a replica of a Christopher Columbus statue near the White House. The statue was previously thrown into Baltimore's harbor during protests against institutional racism. A Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United said his group owns the statue and has agreed to loan it to the federal government for placement at or near the White House.

Why it matters

The move to install the Columbus statue is part of Trump's broader effort to reshape the telling of U.S. history as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Trump has endorsed a traditional view of Columbus as a heroic figure, while in recent years the explorer has also been recognized as a symbol of Western Europe's conquest and exploitation of native peoples.

The details

The statue is a replica of one that was toppled by protesters on July 4, 2020 and thrown into Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Artist Will Hemsley used parts of the old statue, first unveiled during Ronald Reagan's presidency, to build and restore a 'beautiful, brand new statue.' The Maryland lobbyist said his group took a straw vote and unanimously decided to send the statue to the White House after being contacted by an intermediary who said the White House was looking for a statue of Columbus.

  • In July 2020, the original statue was toppled by protesters and thrown into Baltimore's harbor.
  • Around Columbus Day 2021, the Maryland lobbyist group was contacted by an intermediary about loaning the statue to the White House.
  • On February 4, 2026, the group signed a loan agreement to send the statue to the White House, possibly within two weeks.

The players

John Pica

A Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, the group that owns the Columbus statue.

Nino Mangione

A Maryland state delegate who has worked with the Italian American group to find a new home for the statue after it was pulled from the harbor.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is taking steps to install the Columbus statue near the White House.

Will Hemsley

The artist who used parts of the old statue to build and restore a 'beautiful, brand new statue.'

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What they’re saying

“Cautiously optimistic, yes.”

— John Pica, Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United (The Associated Press)

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero. And he will continue to be honored as such by President Trump.”

— David Ingle, Trump spokesman (The Associated Press)

“I was there when we got it out of the harbor.”

— Nino Mangione, Maryland state delegate (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The exact timing for any planned installation of the statue near the White House is unclear, though the Maryland lobbyist said it could happen within two weeks.

The takeaway

The move to install a Columbus statue near the White House is part of Trump's broader efforts to reshape the telling of U.S. history, emphasizing a traditional view of the explorer as a heroic figure rather than a symbol of Western conquest and exploitation of native peoples. This reflects the ongoing debate over how to commemorate controversial historical figures.