Overview

• The bronze sculpture, installed by the Secret Handshake collective, reappeared near the U.S. Capitol after being taken down last week for permit noncompliance, according to the National Park Service.
• News outlets report a temporary permit was approved on September 30, which the group says enabled the statue’s return to the Mall.
• One installer said they used a First Amendment demonstration filing and a 24-hour no‑response window to proceed with the placement.
• The piece, originally titled Best Friends Forever and later Why Can’t We Be Friends?, depicts President Donald Trump holding hands with Jeffrey Epstein.
• The installation drew public attention and a sharp White House rebuke, while the artists allege the statue was damaged and their permit revoked without explanation during the initial removal.