House GOP moves to remove giant ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural from Washington, DC plaza

Over the span of two blocks, giant 35-foot-tall block letters write "Black Lives Matter" on the asphalt near the White House at the end of 16th Street NW. Alongside the "Black Lives Matter" statement was also a "DEFUND THE POLICE" statement. However, that lettering was removed in August 2020.

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) told the New York Post, “The House Oversight Committee and the Trump Administration are working on delivering a number of reforms to make our nation’s capital safe and end left-wing pet projects. This includes addressing partisan abuses by the District government such as Black Lives Matter Plaza."

As President Donald Trump has taken office, he has worked with Republicans to root out "woke" institutions in the government, such as DEI offices as well as other policies. The giant mural on the asphalt spelling out "Black Lives Matter" came in the months following the death of George Floyd along with riots and protests across the country.

Washington, DC's leadership decided to paint the mural, however, under the Home Rule Act of 1973. Congress has the authority to override decisions from the local government. Some have said that the GOP and the Trump administration should be in control of the local government in the region to tamp down rampant crime.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said, “Mayor Bowser and Democrat-run Washington, DC are focused on virtue signaling and spending taxpayer money to paint Black Lives Matter instead of the record spike in homicides, carjackings, and other violent crimes. Washington D.C.’s failures are a reminder why the city must never become a state."