A statue depicting Christopher Columbus has been installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House, as part of the current administration’s efforts to acknowledge the controversial explorer. This statue is a replica of the original one that was thrown into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term amid widespread protests against systemic racism.
President Trump supports the traditional portrayal of Columbus as a key figure in the 1492 expedition that marked the beginning of European colonization in the Americas and the establishment of the modern economic and political systems. However, in recent times, Columbus has also come to symbolize the conquest of the New World by Western Europe, including the exploitation of its resources and indigenous populations.
The White House expressed its admiration for Columbus, stating that he is considered a hero in the current administration and will be honored for future generations. The Italian American Organizations United, which owns the statue, expressed satisfaction that it has found a peaceful and protected place near the White House.
The statue, predominantly crafted from marble, was designed by sculptor Will Hemsley, located in Centreville on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The original statue was toppled and thrown into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on July 4, 2020, following heightened tensions after the death of George Floyd. This act was part of a wave of vandalism against Columbus statues, with protesters attributing responsibility to Columbus for the genocide and exploitation of Native Americans.
In recent years, there has been a shift in some quarters towards acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. President Joe Biden marked Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021 through a proclamation, making him the first U.S. president to do so. President Trump has criticized this move, labeling it as a distortion of history by “left-wing arsonists” and vowed to restore the significance of Columbus Day, claiming that efforts were made to tarnish Columbus’s reputation and alienate Italian-Americans.