Washington D.C. Begins Removal of Black Lives Matter Mural Near White House

The iconic mural, painted in 2020 during nationwide protests, is being dismantled as part of a redesign project following federal pressure.

The Black Lives Matter mural on 16th Street NW, near the White House, began removal on Monday, nearly five years after its creation during protests against racial injustice in 2020.
Mayor Muriel Bowser stated the mural's removal is part of a broader redesign for the city's America 250 mural project, but critics link the decision to pressure from the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers.
Representative Andrew Clyde introduced legislation to cut federal funding to D.C. unless the mural was removed, raising concerns about the city's autonomy under federal oversight.
The Trump administration has pushed for increased federal control over Washington, D.C., including threats of a complete federal takeover and demands for the city to address homelessness and public safety issues.
The mural's removal has sparked debate over its symbolic importance, with advocates emphasizing its role in highlighting racial justice and critics questioning the balance between art, activism, and governance.