A statue of Albert Pike, a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, stands in Northwest Washington, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
Share and Follow

WASHINGTON (The Hill) — A toppled statue dedicated to the memory of Confederate officer Albert Pike will soon be reinstalled in Washington, D.C., according to the Department of Interior. 

The statue will be back in Judiciary Square by October, according to The Washington Post, who first reported the move. It comes a year ahead of the nation’s 250th founding anniversary, a milestone President Trump has pledged to mark with tributes to American history in Washington through his “Making the District of Columbia Beautiful” executive order. 

A statue of Albert Pike, a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, stands in Northwest Washington, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
A statue of Albert Pike, a brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, stands in Northwest Washington, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

In the order, Trump says “monuments, museums, and buildings should reflect and inspire awe and appreciation for our Nation’s strength, greatness, and heritage.”

Pike’s contributions to the country’s history fit the mold. 

“This project reflects our commitment to the responsible stewardship of public lands and the preservation of our nation’s cultural resources,” a spokesperson for the Department said in a Tuesday statement to The Hill. 

But in 2020, demonstrators removed the sculpture by hand following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers.

Pike’s 27-foot-tall bronze and marble statue was erected more than a century ago, in 1901. The measure was aimed at paying homage to his history as a brigadier general in the Confederate army and prominent figure in Scottish Rite Freemasonry. 

He was also a member of the Know Nothing Party, known for its strong anti-immigration stance.

As the Trump administration lauds the statue’s reinstalment, local leaders remain in favor of keeping Pike out of street view. 

“I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in locations that imply honor. A statue honoring a racist and a traitor has no place on the streets of D.C.,” Congresswoman Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-D.C.) said in a statement to The Post. 

The D.C. Scottish Rite also said in 2017 the statue had become “the subject of contention and escalating controversy” and that the group would agree to its removal, per the outlet. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Man killed after running across U.S. 19 in Tarpon Springs, being hit by 2 cars: police

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was killed Tuesday night after…

Ports of Entry to Stay Open During Government Shutdown, Congresswoman Confirms

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The looming federal government shut down…

Mayor green lights Science Center development; residents call it 'giant win' for St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of St. Petersburg will move…

Russell Joel Brown’s Most Significant Performance Aims to Benefit Paine College

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Russell Joel Brown is getting ready for his…

Inside 'Alligator Alcatraz': Color-coded uniforms, 5:30 a.m. breakfast and strict rules

Video above: DeSantis to open new immigration center in Florida Panhandle Detainees…

Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire amid government shutdown leaving patients, providers in limbo

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Frustration is growing across the Tampa Bay area…

Devastating Earthquake in the Philippines Claims at Least 69 Lives

MANILA – At least 69 people were killed in a powerful earthquake…

Crime Stoppers Requesting Information on Springfield Little Caesars Burglary

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties…