Two Confederate Statues to Be Reinstalled in D.C.

The National Park Service, following directives from President Donald Trump, will restore and reinstall two Confederate monuments in the Washington, D.C. area: the statue of Albert Pike at Judiciary Square and the 'Reconciliation Monument' at Arlington National Cemetery. The Pike statue, toppled during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, is set to return by October in line with federal historic preservation laws and executive orders to restore historic statues. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the return of the Reconciliation Monument, framing it as honoring American history, while critics argue it whitewashes the Confederacy's legacy. The Southern Poverty Law Center and civil rights groups have condemned these moves, asserting the statues glorify individuals linked to slavery and white supremacy. The decision has faced local opposition and comes amid ongoing national debates over Confederate symbols and historical memory. These actions highlight persistent tensions in the U.S. over how the Civil War and its legacy should be commemorated.