Washington, D.C. workers began removing the iconic “Black Lives Matter” mural near the White House on Monday, following pressure from former President Donald Trump and Republican allies.
The massive yellow lettering, painted on a city roadway in June 2020 at the height of nationwide protests over George Floyd’s killing, had become a symbol of racial justice. City officials credited the mural with helping to calm tensions during the unrest.
Now, with Trump back in office and pushing against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, the mural became a target. Congressional Republicans have pressured Washington’s leadership to remove it as part of broader efforts to reshape the city’s governance.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has attempted to maintain a working relationship with Trump while navigating the city’s financial concerns, including the potential impact of federal job cuts. While she didn’t confirm whether the removal was due to White House pressure, she admitted that some people “didn’t like” the mural.
As workers drilled away at the pavement, onlookers gathered to capture the moment. Two Black women watching the removal expressed deep disappointment.
“It’s history… and now they’re basically saying it didn’t happen,” said a 54-year-old caregiver from Virginia.
Her friend, Maryland healthcare worker Tajuana McCallister, added, “Black history clearly doesn’t matter to him,” nodding toward the White House.
For many, the mural’s erasure feels like a symbolic rollback of the progress made during the 2020 racial justice movement.
