{"id":2483056,"date":"2025-09-05T23:31:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T03:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-demands-peace-vigil-removal-near-white-house\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T23:32:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T03:32:41","slug":"trump-demands-peace-vigil-removal-near-white-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-demands-peace-vigil-removal-near-white-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump demands peace vigil removal near White House"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-demands-peace-vigil-removal-near-white-house%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2483056&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that former president Donald Trump has called for the removal of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-praises-press-but-jokes-about-death-rumor\/\" title=\"... praises press but jokes about death rumor\">long-standing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-strategy-for-combating-surge-in-crime-focuses-largely-on-combating-gun-violence\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s Strategy For Combating Surge In Crime Focuses Largely On Combating \u2018Gun Violence\u2019\">peace vigil<\/a><\/a> near the White House,which has been continuously held since 1981 by protesters led by William Thomas,making it the nation&#8217;s longest ongoing political protest.Trump demanded, &#8220;Take it down today,&#8221; during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-email-reportedly-names-kamala-harris-others-as-key-contacts-for-joint-venture-with-china-energy-co\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden Email Reportedly Names Kamala Harris, Others as Key Contacts for ...Joint Venture... With China Energy Co.\">press event<\/a> where he also announced changes to the Department of Defense&#8217;s name and plans to host the G20 leaders Summit at his Miami golf resort.<\/p>\n<p>The vigil, located in Lafayette Square, has been mistaken by some as a homeless encampment, though its participants live elsewhere. Republican congressman Jeff Van Drew also urged the Interior Department to review the vigil&#8217;s legality and remove it, citing concerns about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-d-c-mayor-extends-emergency-declaration-for-15-days\/\" title=\"..., D.C. mayor extends emergency declaration for 15 days\">public safety<\/a>, the appearance of the park, and the burden on local authorities. While affirming his support for free speech under the First Amendment, Van Drew argued the protest shoudl not be allowed to permanently occupy the park and cause disruption.<\/p>\n<p>The White House has not clarified its position regarding the vigil amidst broader efforts to address homelessness in Washington, D.C. The protest must be continuously staffed to qualify as a protected First Amendment exhibition. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump calls for removal of long-standing peace vigil near White House<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2222383\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a> is echoing a Republican congressman in calling for the removal of a peace vigil that has been outside the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White House<\/a> for seven presidents.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Take it down. Take it down today,&rdquo; Trump told reporters Friday at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3795964\/trump-concedes-press-good-death-rumor\/\">Death becomes him: Trump concedes press has been &#8216;very good lately&#8217; &#8211; aside from one rumor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3795671\/trump-national-doral-miami-golf-club-host-2026-g20-summit\/\">Trump confirms his Miami golf resort will host G20 leaders after G7 flap<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3795619\/trump-threatens-european-union-unfair-penalties-charged-us-companies\/\">Trump threatens Europe over &#8216;unfair penalties&#8217; charged to US companies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The peace vigil outside the White House on Sept. 5, 2025. (Naomi Lim\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Trump was asked about the vigil, considered the country&rsquo;s longest continuous act of political protest after it was founded in 1981 by William Thomas, during an Oval Office press conference convened for him to announce he was changing the name of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Defense<\/a> to the Department of War and that he would host next year&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/g20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Group of 20<\/a> Leaders Summit at his golf course in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/miami\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Miami<\/a> after an earlier proposal to do so in 2020 were scrapped because of ethics concerns.<\/p>\n<p>But the president was asked about the vigil in Lafayette Square under the assumption it was a homeless encampment amid his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >30-day public safety emergency<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington, D.C<\/a>., during which his administration has tried to rid the district of its homeless sites. The half-dozen protesters who maintain the vigil, however, maintain residences elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>The White House did not respond to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&lsquo;s request for clarification.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) wrote&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/documents\/06fbab43-1457-4aa7-92cf-ee5b231defc1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a letter<\/a>&nbsp;to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/interior-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Interior Department<\/a> in May complaining that the vigil is a permanent structure on public land that &ldquo;creates public safety hazards, degrades the appearance of one of our most iconic parks, and burdens both the District and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-park-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Park Service<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I will defend the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/first-amendment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">First Amendment<\/a> to my last breath,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;Even if I strongly disagree with many of the wrong and distasteful messages advocated for by this protest, Americans have every right to protest their government. But they do not have the right to hijack a national park and turn it into a 24\/7 eyesore.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3790244\/trump-crime-crackdown-issue-blow-up-blue-city-dem-coalition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>TRUMP SEES CRIME CRACKDOWN AS THE ISSUE TO BLOW UP BLUE-CITY DEMOCRATIC COALITION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To that end, the vigil must be constantly manned for the protest to be considered a First Amendment demonstration.<\/p>\n<p>Van Drew has asked the Interior Department to review the vigil&rsquo;s legality and remove it if appropriate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump urges removal of decades-old White House peace vigil<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2483057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/peace-vigil.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[62713,4542,5199,3634,32127],"class_list":["post-2483056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-peace-vigil","tag-protest","tag-removal","tag-trump","tag-white-house"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/peace-vigil.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2483056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2483056"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2483056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2483060,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2483056\/revisions\/2483060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2483057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2483056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2483056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2483056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}