Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton announced that she will reintroduce legislation to permanently remove the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike from federal land in the District of Columbia, following news that the National Park Service intends to restore and reinstall the controversial monument near Judiciary Square.
“Given the NPS announcement that it will reinstall the statue, I plan to reintroduce my bill to remove the Pike statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate the statue to a museum or a similar entity,” Norton said. “A statue honoring a racist and a traitor has no place on the streets of D.C.”
The bronze statue of Pike was toppled by protesters in June 2020 during nationwide demonstrations following the police killing of George Floyd. It had long been a subject of protest and criticism, particularly in the District, where residents have repeatedly demanded its removal.
“[Albert Pike] was about as destructive and subversive to our country as they come,” one social media user said. “This is NOT a person we should be erecting a statue of, especially with taxpayer funds.”
Norton’s original bill to remove the statue was approved by the House Committee on Natural Resources following the 2020 demonstration but never became law.
“I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor,” Norton said. “The decision to honor Albert Pike by reinstalling the Pike statue is as odd and indefensible as it is morally objectionable.”
Pike, a senior officer in the Confederate Army, also served as a high-ranking Freemason. His statue, unlike many Confederate monuments, depicted him in civilian attire to reflect his Masonic ties. Still, Norton said there is no justification for honoring someone with Pike’s record.
“Pike served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops,” she said. “He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. Even those who want Confederate statues to remain standing would have to justify awarding Pike any honor, considering his history.”
The National Park Service has not publicly explained the timing or rationale for reinstating the statue, which was originally installed in 1901 through congressional authorization sought by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Though the monument was located on federal land, it had long been a target of local protest and opposition, particularly in the nation’s capital, where residents have no voting representation in Congress.
Norton said she is committed to ensuring the statue is never re-erected on public land.
“Confederate symbols belong in museums, not public spaces where they suggest reverence,” she said.
