Trump Admin Installs Restored Columbus Statue Near White House

The replica of the toppled Baltimore monument is now on display near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 3:27am

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The Trump administration has placed a restored replica of a Christopher Columbus statue that was previously toppled and thrown into Baltimore's Inner Harbor during 2020 protests on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House. The original statue was owned by the Italian American Organizations United, who voted unanimously to loan the restored version to the federal government.

Why it matters

Christopher Columbus has become a controversial historical figure, with some viewing him as a colonizer whose arrival led to land theft, enslavement, disease, and cultural destruction for Indigenous communities, while others still embrace him as a symbol of Italian-American heritage. Trump's decision to display the statue near the White House is seen as an effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and uphold the traditional view of Columbus, in contrast to Biden's recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The details

The original Columbus statue stood in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood and was unveiled by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. It was toppled by protesters in 2020 and thrown into the Inner Harbor. Sculptor Will Hemsley was hired to restore the statue, combining recovered pieces from the harbor with new additions and repairs. The restored replica is now on loan to the federal government and would be returned if a future administration requested its removal.

  • The original statue was unveiled in Baltimore in 1984.
  • The statue was toppled by protesters and thrown into the Inner Harbor on July 4, 2020.
  • The restored replica was installed near the White House in 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who installed the restored Columbus statue near the White House.

Joe Biden

The former Democratic President who issued an Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation in 2021, in contrast to Trump's support for the traditional view of Columbus.

John Pica

The president of the Italian American Organizations United, whose organization voted unanimously to loan the restored statue to the federal government.

Nino Mangione

A Republican Maryland state delegate who expressed delight at the prospect of the statue being displayed on the White House grounds.

Will Hemsley

The sculptor hired to restore the Columbus statue after it was toppled and thrown into the Inner Harbor.

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What they’re saying

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

— Davis Ingle, White House Spokesperson

“I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes. The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.”

— Donald Trump

“We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.”

— John Pica, President of Italian American Organizations United

“The statue had to be repaired after the thugs attempted to destroy it and threw it into the Inner Harbor. The statue is repaired and ready to be displayed in a prominent position of honor, worthy of the great Christopher Columbus…We are so pleased at the prospect of the statue being displayed on the hallowed grounds of the White House.”

— Nino Mangione, Maryland state Delegate, Baltimore County Republican

What’s next

The statue will remain on loan to the federal government, and could be returned if a future administration requests its removal.

The takeaway

The installation of the restored Columbus statue near the White House highlights the ongoing debate over how to view the legacy of Christopher Columbus, with the Trump administration embracing the traditional heroic portrayal while others see him as a symbol of colonization and oppression of Indigenous peoples.