Giant Trump banner hanging outside DOJ building stirs strong reactions online: ‘Full blown North Korea vibes’

The administration framed the banner as part of U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsGiant Trump banner hanging outside DOJ building stirs strong reactions online: ‘Full blown North Korea vibes’The administration framed the banner as part of U.S. 250th anniversary celebrationsJosh Marcus in San Francisco Friday 20 February 2026 00:25 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverTrump told his 'big, beautiful face' now hangs on a banner from the Dept of LaborYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreWorkers installed a huge banner featuring President Trump’s face and the words “Make America Safe Again” on the front of Justice Department headquarters in Washington on Thursday, provoking online outrage and comparisons between the administration and authoritarian regimes.California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic, said the gesture was “beyond parity.”“How many dictatorship-style monuments, building name changes, and fake awards do Americans have to endure?” he wrote on X, echoing another commentator who said the banner had totalitarian “North Korea vibes.”Since Trump took office, the president and his allies have renamed the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace to include Trump’s name. Newsom wasn’t the only Democratic lawmaker sounding off on the banner.open image in galleryCritics of the president were alarmed on Thursday after workers installed a huge banner of Trump on the headquarters of the Department of Justice (AFP via Getty Images)“Americans believe in the rule of law,” Rep. Ted Lieu of California wrote on X. “MAGA Republicans believe in the rule of Trump. November is coming.”Others argued the image undermined the Justice Department’s position as an independent institution tasked with impartially applying the law.“Trump is plastering his face on the building that’s supposed to investigate him,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez, also of California, added on X. “There was once a time when a president couldn’t boss the Attorney General around like his own personal lapdog.”Some commentators and reporters were also critical of the move.“Could also be Germany 1930s, Soviet Union 1950s,” The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols wrote on X. “Could be many places, but shouldn't be America.”Others, like Ken Dilanian, argued the banner was highly ironic given Republicans’ longstanding claims that the Biden administration had politicized the DOJ.open image in galleryBanners of the president have been put on multiple government agencies since Trump took office (AFP/Getty)“This is a stunning confirmation of the grim reality, which is that Donald Trump has seized control of the once independent Justice Department and is using it to pursue his political objectives—including trying to punish his perceived enemies,” he wrote on X. “Exactly what his supporters baselessly accused the previous administration of doing.”Critics of the administration have pointed to federal prosecutions of Trump critics like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, as well as Democrats who encouraged military members to ignore illegal orders in a video last year, as evidence of this alleged erosion in the separation of powers.The Trump administration defended the symbol, arguing it was a part of the larger efforts to celebrate the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. “We are proud at this Department of Justice to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction,” a DOJ spokesperson told The Independent.Similar banners of the president’s face have previously hung at the Departments of Agriculture and Labor, at a cost of thousands of dollars to taxpayers.More aboutGavin NewsomNorth KoreaDoJDonald TrumpJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next