WASHINGTON — In an announcement sure to keep the spotlight on two of D.C.'s most provocative new art installations, the National Park Service (NPS) has extended the permit for the "Resolute Desk" statue on the National Mall, which depicts former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk topped with a large swirl of faux human feces. This installation, initially scheduled for a shorter display, will now remain at its location near the U.S. Capitol until 9 p.m. on November 6.
The statue’s plaque, which reads, “This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, to loot, urinate, and defecate throughout those hallowed halls in order to overturn an election,” has drawn steady crowds of onlookers, with reactions ranging from amusement to outrage.
While the “Resolute Desk” installation will linger into November, the NPS confirmed that the "Donald J. Trump Enduring Flame" statue — a bronze-colored tiki torch clenched by a fist that recently appeared at Freedom Plaza — will only be on display until Thursday. This statue, which references former President Trump's statements following the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, carries a plaque stating, “This monument pays tribute to President Donald Trump and the ‘very fine people’ he boldly stood to defend.” It evokes memories of the tiki torch-lit march held by white supremacists the night before the rally and the violent clashes that followed.
The NPS has attributed both installations to Civic Crafted LLC, a group whose representative, Julia Jimenez-Pyzik, filed the permits but has not commented publicly.
With the desk statue remaining through early November and the tiki torch set to disappear on Halloween, these installations are raising questions about art’s role in public spaces and its potential to confront political memory. Whether seen as satire, protest, or commentary, they’ve added a unique layer to the National Mall and Freedom Plaza, sparking reflection, debate, and a fresh look at D.C.'s public art landscape.
