{"id":2630807,"date":"2026-07-16T17:48:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T21:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/we-have-to-take-swords-off-white-house-statues-secret-service\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T17:51:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T21:51:02","slug":"we-have-to-take-swords-off-white-house-statues-secret-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/we-have-to-take-swords-off-white-house-statues-secret-service\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;We have to&#8217; take swords off White House statues: Secret Service"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fwe-have-to-take-swords-off-white-house-statues-secret-service%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=2630807&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>Secret Service officials announced planned security enhancements around the White House,including replacing temporary fencing with a permanent barrier around Lafayette Square,a key area known as the White House\u2019s \u201cfront yard.\u201d They also discussed removing swords from statues for safety reasons and potentially taking down some statues for security purposes. The modifications aim to reduce the number of temporary fences and barriers used during security events. Public feedback on these proposals was mixed; some concerns highlighted fears of restricting free speech and demonstrations. Additionally, critics noted that the renovation process lacked proper preservation review, bypassing established procedures. the proposals include new public entrances with flexible fencing options and a plan to replace temporary security tents with a permanent screening facility beneath sherman Park. the National Park Service did not comment on some of the planned changes.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/secret-service\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1478\">Secret Service<\/a> officials on Tuesday outlined major security modifications to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House<\/a> perimeter, including removing swords from statues and replacing temporary fencing with permanent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/security\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2021\">access control<\/a> measures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their remarks came during a meeting of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is tasked with \u201cgiving expert advice\u201d to the federal government on \u201cmatters of design and aesthetics.\u201d President Donald Trump stacked the committee with political loyalists who have overseen his centerpiece building projects, including the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4463651\/fine-arts-panel-approves-trump-ballroom\/\">White House ballroom<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4578324\/arts-commission-approve-plan-trump-triumphal-arch\/\">Triumphal Arch<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4651787\/white-house-staffer-administrative-leave-insider-trading-scandal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>White House teleprompter staffer put on unpaid administrative leave over insider trading scandal<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4651841\/white-house-denies-funding-cuts-cyclosporiasis-parasite-outbreak-response\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>White House denies funding cuts have impeded response to parasite outbreak<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4649542\/gop-trump-speech-focus-2026-elections\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans beg Trump to focus on 2026 in primetime address<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur goal is to get rid of lots of the different temporary fences and barriers that we have that we need to maintain control of different security events,\u201d Andy Stohs, a Secret Service technical adviser, told the committee.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Secret Service\u2019s proposal would see the current piecemeal network of temporary fencing replaced with a permanent solution around Lafayette Square, which Stohs described as the White House\u2019s \u201cfront yard.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">Workers remove graffiti from a statue in Lafayette Park left by demonstrators over the weekend demanding a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP23311513613087.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Workers remove graffiti from a statue in Lafayette Park left by demonstrators over the weekend demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Committee members also discussed the possibility of removing swords from statues around the White House. Richard Macauley, chief of the Secret Service\u2019s Uniformed Division, briefly referred to the idea as something \u201cwe have to do\u201d for security reasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve witnessed multiple spontaneous mass incursions where officers and the public were injured as a result of a demonstration,\u201d Macauley added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lafayette Square was previously the closest pedestrians could get to the White House. Trump issued an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/celebrating-americas-250th-birthday\/\">executive order<\/a> a year before in which he bemoaned \u201cvandalism\u201d to statues in the park after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, in January, the National Park Service sealed the area for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4431323\/trump-plan-rebuild-dc-parks-lafayette-square-america-250\/\">maintenance projects<\/a> ahead of the U.S. semiquincentennial. The park was set to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/whho\/learn\/management\/lafayetteconstruction26.htm\">reopen<\/a> around May 31, though it remains closed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Secret Service presented <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfa.gov\/system\/files\/meeting-materials\/2-CFA-16JUL26-2-EOP-USSS-NPS-LaSq-Fence_pres%5B7-10%5D.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cfa.gov\/system\/files\/meeting-materials\/2-CFA-16JUL26-2-EOP-USSS-NPS-LaSq-Fence_pres%5B7-10%5D.pdf\">renderings<\/a> of two possible public entrances at the end of 16th Street. One would see a series of rotating fence posts that could be opened and closed based on security conditions. The other would include two larger gates on the preexisting sidewalks approaching Lafayette Square.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee said it received \u201cquite a bit of\u201d public comment on the measure, including \u201cwell over 100 messages coming in relatively late.\u201d It read out one message from the White House Historical Association, which owns the Decatur House on Lafayette Square, and two from members of the public.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the two public comments argued the changes will \u201csuppress free speech and peaceful demonstrations in a key public forum,\u201d adding that \u201cclaims of security risk are a pretext.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">Part of a proposal to improve security at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, is photographed Wednesday, July 15, 2026, before a meeting on July 16 of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. (AP Photo\/Jon Elswick)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26196827651173_6852b8.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Part of a proposal to improve security at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, is photographed Wednesday, July 15, 2026, before a meeting on July 16 of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. (AP Photo\/Jon Elswick)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee also heard from Nord Wennerstrom, who represented the Cultural Landscape Foundation. Wennerstrom said the renovations have not followed the review process prescribed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires the government to consult with stakeholders over preservation concerns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added that, as a result, the commission has \u201cnot benefited from the input, context, and reviews by those with preservation expertise who can advise on how to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse effects\u201d of the project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4652250\/kennedy-center-renovation-war\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4652250\/kennedy-center-renovation-war\/\">KENNEDY CENTER TRIES TO REGAIN UPPER HAND IN RENOVATION WAR: \u2018HAS INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the Lafayette Square renovations, the committee considered a proposal to replace the White House\u2019s security tents with a permanent screening facility underneath Sherman Park.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Secret Service referred the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> to the National Park Service, which did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Secret Service outlines White House security upgrades, fencing and statues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4301,"featured_media":2630808,"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\/2026\/07\/AP22252005380099.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34163,10619,82822,32127],"class_list":["post-2630807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-secret-service","tag-statues","tag-swords","tag-white-house"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP22252005380099.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630807","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\/4301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2630807"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630810,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630807\/revisions\/2630810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2630808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2630807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2630807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2630807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}