Democrats are calling it a dictatorship warning sign after Trump did something to the DOJ building that’s never been done before

A massive banner featuring President Donald Trump’s face and the slogan “Make America Safe Again” appeared on the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C.. The display immediately sparked strong criticism from Democrats, who called it an unprecedented move that threatens the independence of federal law enforcement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the display “beyond parody” and questioned how many “dictatorship-style monuments, building name changes, and fake awards Americans have to endure.” Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey was equally direct, saying, “The Department of Justice is supposed to work for and represent you, not him,” pointing to concerns that the DOJ’s loyalty is shifting away from the public.

According to Time, the core issue, critics say, is that the DOJ is meant to operate independently from the White House, serving the rule of law rather than any individual president’s political agenda. The banner has reinforced fears that this separation is breaking down.

The DOJ’s independence has been under serious scrutiny long before this banner went up

Those concerns are not new. During Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, lawmakers questioned her loyalty to President Trump, particularly over the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files. Rep. Jamie Raskin stated bluntly, “Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza, and you deliver every time.”

Bondi defended herself, saying she came into office to refocus the DOJ on its “core mission” after what she described as “years of bloated bureaucracy and political weaponization.” But a former federal prosecutor noted that she couldn’t recall similar political imagery for past presidents like George W.

Bush or Barack Obama on federal buildings, adding that political activity is not supposed to take place within the Department of Justice. Trump has also made waves on other fronts, including ordering a major declassification of alien-related files that has drawn widespread attention.

This is also not the first time Trump’s image has appeared on federal buildings. Last May, banners featuring him alongside President Abraham Lincoln were displayed at the Department of Agriculture. In August, a banner with Trump’s second inaugural portrait alongside President Theodore Roosevelt, with the words “American Workers First,” appeared at the Department of Labor.

Beyond banners, Trump has also added his name to major Washington landmarks. In December, his name was added to the Kennedy Center, a board he personally chairs. That same month, the U.S. Institute of Peace building also received his name after the Department of State rebranded the organization.

These actions, along with Trump’s past calls for Bondi to prosecute political opponents, have raised serious concerns. Federal prosecutors have recently brought charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, though both cases were later dismissed.

The DOJ is also currently investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Democratic officials in Minnesota over whether they obstructed federal immigration enforcement through public statements. Meanwhile, Trump’s broader policy moves continue to face legal challenges, including a recent case where the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s tariff policy. Former FBI Director Comey summed up the reaction to the banner in one word: “sickening.”