A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike, which was torn down and set on fire in 2020 during social justice protests in Washington, D.C., has been reinstalled. The reinstallation was carried out under orders from President Donald Trump and follows a National Park Service plan announced in August. The statue has been a point of contention for decades, with calls for its permanent removal from public spaces.
Reinstallation Details
The statue of General Albert Pike was reinstalled in Washington, D.C., under direction from President Donald Trump. The National Park Service (NPS) had announced plans for its return in August, following an executive order signed by Trump titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History."
On Monday afternoon, the area around the statue displayed a sign indicating "Area close. Historic preservation work in progress." The NPS released a statement indicating that "The restoration aligns with federal responsibilities under historic-preservation law and recent executive orders to beautify the nation’s capital and restore pre-existing statues."
Historical Context and Controversy
Erected in 1901, the statue of Albert Pike has been a subject of debate for many years, with members of local government advocating for its removal over several decades. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia, has introduced legislation multiple times to permanently remove the Pike statue.
Norton commented on the restoration, stating it was “offensive to members of the military who serve honorably.” She further stated that Pike "took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops." Norton has also expressed the view that "Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor."
Prior to its removal in 2020, Pike's statue was the sole monument to a Confederate general located in the nation's capital.
Figure of Albert Pike
Albert Pike was a prominent leader of the Freemasons, a centuries-old society that funded the statue's creation. His remains are interred at the Washington headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, which also includes a museum dedicated to him.
Critics of Pike have alleged his involvement in the formation of the Ku Klux Klan. However, Masons maintain that the available evidence does not substantiate these allegations.