Overview

• The National Park Service previously removed the 12-foot installation after less than a day, citing noncompliance with the terms of its original permit.
• Secret Handshake, the anonymous collective behind the work, shared an NPS email confirming a First Amendment demonstration permit and reinstalled the piece Thursday near 3rd Street by the Capitol.
• The artists say the statue was damaged during the takedown and that they repaired visible cracks before returning the work, which they retitled “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”.
• The White House dismissed the installation, reiterating that President Trump expelled Epstein from his club and claiming the administration is delivering transparency with document releases.
• The Park Service offered limited response during the federal shutdown, and the group says it expects the display to be temporary, with hopes to keep it in place through Monday.