A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike, which was torn down during the 2020 anti-racism protests, has been reinstalled in Washington, D.C., under orders from President Donald Trump, reigniting debates over the placement of Confederate monuments. The reinstallation occurred on October 28, 2025, as confirmed by the National Park Service, which cited federal historic-preservation laws and executive orders to restore pre-existing statues, but it has faced immediate criticism from local officials and activists.
The statue, located near Judiciary Square in Northwest Washington, was refurbished after being damaged when protesters used ropes and chains to pull it down and set it on fire on June 19, 2020, during widespread demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd. That event was part of a national reckoning with systemic racism, leading to the removal of over 300 Confederate monuments across the United States as symbols of oppression and slavery. The reinstallation process involved closing the area for historic preservation work, with signs indicating ongoing efforts to return the statue to its original site.
Albert Pike’s statue has been a source of controversy since its erection in 1901 by the Freemasons, who funded the monument. Pike served as a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and was a longtime leader of the Freemasons, a secretive society. Critics have accused him of being instrumental in the formation of the Ku Klux Klan, though the Masons dispute these allegations, and the original plaque described him as an author, poet, scholar, soldier, jurist, orator, philanthropist, and philosopher, omitting his Confederate ties.
The decision to reinstall the statue drew strong condemnation from Democratic Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia. She called the restoration “offensive to members of the military who serve honorably” and stated that Pike “served dishonorably” by taking up arms against the United States, misappropriating funds, and being captured by his own troops. Norton has repeatedly introduced legislation to remove the statue permanently, arguing that Confederate monuments should be placed in museums as historical artifacts rather than remaining in public spaces that imply honor.
President Trump has been a vocal advocate for preserving Confederate memorials, signing an executive order called “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” to guide the reinstallation. In 2020, he condemned the toppling of the Pike statue on Twitter, calling for the immediate arrest of protesters and criticizing the DC police for not intervening. Since returning to the White House, Trump has ordered the reinstatement of multiple Confederate statues and paintings, framing it as part of efforts to beautify the nation’s capital and restore American history.
The reinstallation highlights ongoing societal tensions over how to handle Confederate symbols, with supporters emphasizing historical preservation and free speech, while opponents view them as endorsements of racism and slavery. The event has sparked protests and could lead to further legal and legislative battles, reflecting deep divisions in American society over race, history, and public memory. It may influence similar debates in other cities and states, where Confederate monuments remain contentious.
Looking ahead, the controversy is likely to continue, with potential challenges from advocacy groups and lawmakers seeking removal. The National Park Service’s statement emphasized alignment with federal responsibilities, but the move underscores the persistent struggle over how to reckon with the nation’s past and its implications for contemporary social justice issues.