Washington, D.C.: The capital city will remove the large "Black Lives Matter" mural from a street one block from the White House. The decision comes as Mayor Muriel Bowser navigates increasing pressure from both President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Bowser acknowledged the change on the social platform X on Tuesday, writing: "The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a painful period, but now we can't afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern."

The move marks a significant shift in Bowser’s stance towards Trump and congressional Republicans since his first term. In June 2020, Bowser, a Democrat, ordered the mural’s creation and renamed the intersection Black Lives Matter Plaza as a direct response to the protests over police brutality following George Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis police officer.

At the time, her actions placed her in direct conflict with Trump, who accused her of losing control of the city and threatened to assume control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Although he did not follow through, he initiated a multi-agency crackdown that included helicopters flying at low altitudes to intimidate protesters.

Now, during Trump’s second term in the White House, Bowser has sought to avoid conflict and downplay contentious issues. She previously traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate after his election and has publicly highlighted areas of agreement, such as their shared goal of bringing federal employees back to in-person work.

Congressional pressure on Washington

Trump has reiterated his campaign rhetoric about a federal “takeover” of the capital, describing Washington as plagued by crime, graffiti, and homelessness. While Bowser has refused to comment on reports that the White House is drafting an executive order concerning the capital, she has stated that the biggest threat to the city’s Home Rule autonomy is "some of the people in Congress."

Republican lawmakers, who control both chambers, have repeatedly threatened to interfere in city governance. A current measure before Congress, named the BOWSER Act, aims to revoke the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants the city limited autonomy. Such a move would likely spark significant controversy and test the narrow GOP House majority. Some representatives have already introduced budget riders targeting local policies, from marijuana legalisation to traffic regulations, and others have openly criticised the Black Lives Matter mural.

Economic challenges and backlash

Despite Bowser and Trump’s mutual interest in bringing federal workers back to the office, Trump’s push to shrink the federal workforce is already affecting the city’s finances. A report last week from Washington’s chief financial officer projected a $1 billion budget shortfall over the next three years due to the departure of thousands of federal employees.

Bowser’s initial public support for Black Lives Matter in 2020 did not earn her lasting favour with activists. The local Black Lives Matter affiliate dismissed the mural as "performative wokeness" and accused Bowser of prioritising police interests over community concerns. Following her decision to remove the mural, activists reiterated their criticism.

Nee Nee Taylor, a founding member of the D.C. Black Lives Matter affiliate, addressed Bowser on X on Tuesday, stating: "You never cared about Black Lives Mattering. You painting those words were performative."

AP