A statue depicting President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is no longer on display at the National Mall, ending its brief appearance on Wednesday morning.
The display conjoins Trump and Epstein by their hands, as the two figures are skipping, lifting their other hands up in the air. It was first spotted on Tuesday morning in front of the U.S. Capitol building.
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A plaque for the statue reads, “In honor of friendship month. We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend,’ Jeffrey Epstein.”
The National Park Service issued a permit to allow this statue to remain in place until 8 p.m. on Sunday, though a spokesperson for U.S. Park Police said Wednesday morning it was removed “due to it not being in compliance with the permit.”
The permit reads that the statue’s purpose is “to demonstrate freedom of speech and artistic expression using political imagery.”
Two conditions are listed on the permit: (1) all participants must comply with the permit’s conditions and Park Police conditions, and (2) all sidewalks, walkways, and roadways remain unobstructed.
Additionally, the permit also grants 24-hour unarmed security for the statue. The permit’s recipient must also remain on site at all times, as unattended equipment is not allowed.
“The National Park Service reserves the right to immediately revoke this permit at any time should it reasonably appear that the public gathering presents a clear and present danger to the public safety, good order or health, or if any conditions of this permit are violated,” the permit reads.
Trump-epstein Statue Permit by Washingtonian Magazine
The Park Police directed the Washington Examiner to the National Park Service, which has been contacted for comment.
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Trump has routinely distanced himself from his past with Epstein, something that is now a major focal point among Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said FBI Director Kash Patel knows “precisely” who is implicated “in the Epstein files,” but the director will not release them.
The Trump-Epstein statue’s brief appearance comes a week after a 12-foot golden Trump statue holding a Bitcoin was erected. This statue was set up by cryptocurrency investors, and organizers said its intention is to spark discussion on digital currency’s future and the federal government’s role.