Trump Orders Creation of 'National Garden' to Erect Statue of American Hero... Direct Response to Statue Vandalism

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to establish a national garden featuring statues of figures symbolizing American history. This move is seen as a symbolic response to the recent destruction of statues of historical figures associated with racial discrimination following the death of George Floyd in the United States.

The White House announced on the 3rd (local time) that President Trump has ordered the submission of a plan to create the national garden within 60 days. The national garden is planned to be established in suburban areas with outstanding natural scenery, featuring statues of historical figures, with a target opening date of July 4, 2026. State governments and private organizations have been requested to donate statues.

According to the BBC, the historical figures whose statues will be featured in the national garden are expected to include founding fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Davy Crockett who led the American westward expansion, Reverend Billy Graham, a representative figure of evangelical Christianity, former President Ronald Reagan, World War II heroes General Douglas MacArthur and General George Patton, among others. Most of these figures were regarded as great individuals in American elementary school history books from the 1950s, aligning with the era of the "Great America" advocated by President Trump.

The BBC reported that this measure is seen as President Trump's symbolic response to some protesters destroying statues honoring historical figures, including former presidents, following the death of George Floyd. Previously, President Trump defended the Confederate symbols as historical artifacts worthy of protection and strongly condemned protesters who toppled monuments during the Independence Day event held at Rushmore in South Dakota.