Trump’s Portrait Displayed Outside US Justice Department in Bold Branding Move

In a striking and symbolic moment this week, a large blue banner featuring President Donald Trump was displayed outside the main headquarters of the US Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

The banner — positioned between two columns on the Justice Department building — read “Make America Safe Again,” echoing Trump’s well‑known campaign messaging and turning the facade of a federal agency into a kind of presidential showcase.

Since returning to the White House in 2025, Trump has shown a clear interest in stamping his identity on parts of the government that were traditionally seen as independent from political influence. Alongside policy changes and staff reshuffles, this includes renaming institutions and placing prominent signage on federal buildings.

Last year, similar banners featuring Trump’s image appeared on the Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture, and the US Institute of Peace — a move that raised eyebrows among watchdogs and lawmakers alike.

In December, a presidentially appointed board also voted to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, sparking debate about tradition versus transformation in national symbols.

When asked about the banner at the Justice Department, a spokesperson told NBC News the agency was “proud” of its “historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction,” framing the display as a celebration of its mission.

The Justice Department has been at the center of controversy involving Trump. In 2023, then‑special counsel Jack Smith brought charges against Trump alleging mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election — charges Trump has always denied as politically driven. After Trump’s 2024 election victory, the cases were dropped under Justice Department rules that limit prosecuting a sitting president, and Smith left the department shortly before Trump took office again.

Since then, the Trump administration’s leadership at the Justice Department has replaced multiple officials who previously worked on those investigations — a personnel shift that critics argue weakens institutional independence.

Whether viewed as political branding or a personal celebration of accomplishments, the banner outside the Justice Department signals how deeply this administration is weaving the president’s image into the architecture of government.