House Bill Aims To Prevent Destruction Of Mount Rushmore

The House Republicans propose legislation to protect Mount Rushmore Not being renamed, or destroyed.

As Native Americans and others have already passed the bill, it is now effective. protested The South Dakota national memorial features four sculptures by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It is located on a mountain in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R.S.D.) introduced Tuesday’s bill. It would not allow federal funds to be used to modify or remove any part of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Nine Republicans are co-sponsors. according to Congress.gov. No Democrats are listed among the co-sponsors.

“Our nation’s history is not without its flaws, but there is no doubt the faces on Mount Rushmore represent democracy, freedom and the great American experiment,” Johnson stated, according to Fox News. “Removing or changing Mount Rushmore will not change the past and will not move us forward as a country. We must protect Mount Rushmore for generations to come.”

Johnson previously introduced The “Mount Rushmore Protection Act” in 2022 in response to former NBA player Jalen Rose’s call to “retire” The monument. Rose was the first to visit the monument. said Mount Rushmore “should be offensive to all of us, especially Native Americans and indigenous people, who were the first people here before Christopher Columbus. That land was stolen from them.”

Native American leaders have criticised Mount Rushmore as a symbol for racism. “white supremacy” And “structural racism.” They also have called for its removal. Governor Kristi Noem (R–SD) suggested that the monument could be destroyed. “Not on my watch.”

Noem announced last Wednesday the Biden administration again rejected her request For a permit to display fireworks at Mount Rushmore on Independence Day. Trump, the former president, gave a speech at Mount Rushmore July 3, 2020. That was the last day fireworks were permitted on the site. Trump claimed last week that fireworks would be permitted at the monument if he was reelected president.

President Trump granted us the Freedom to commemorate Independence Day with fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

Let’s bring it back in 2025! And we’ll keep pushing Biden to do the right thing until then. pic.twitter.com/LeKxHau2XT

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 13, 2023

“President Trump gave us the Freedom to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at Mount Rushmore,” Noem responded. “Let’s bring it back in 2025! And we’ll keep pushing Biden to do the right thing until then.”