Overview

• A bronze statue depicting President Donald Trump holding hands with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was put back up near the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 3 after being taken down last week.
• The anonymous artist collective Secret Handshake installed the piece, which first appeared on Sept. 24 and was removed in less than 24 hours by National Park Service officials.
• Secret Handshake alleges the statue was damaged during removal and says a permit was later revoked without explanation, while the Park Service cites noncompliance with required permits.
• Reporting indicates a temporary permit was approved on Sept. 30, the eve of the federal shutdown, clearing the way for reinstatement.
• The more-than-three-meter sculpture, originally titled Best Friends Forever and later renamed Why Can’t We Be Friends?, renews attention on Trump’s past association with Epstein and ongoing calls for document disclosures.