Trump-Epstein statues make return to National Mall

Statues depicting President Trump and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have made their return to the National Mall after being taken down.

The statues, which had a plaque between them that read “In Honor of Friendship Month,” were spotted on the mall in late September but were later removed. Their presence has come amid swirling controversy around Trump’s relationship with Epstein.

“We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein,” the plaque read.

The New York Times was previously told by the U.S. Park Police the statues were not in compliance and therefore had to be taken away.

In recent months, the Trump administration has faced backlash from both sides of the aisle for its handling of information related to Epstein. 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republican congressional leaders on Tuesday shot down Democratic requests to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), saying she will be sworn in when the House comes back to regular session.

The action deprived a petition of a necessary signature to force a vote on a bill compelling the Justice Department to release all files related to Epstein. 

“Liberals are free to waste their money however they see fit – but it’s not news that Epstein knew Donald Trump, because Donald Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an emailed statement to The Hill.