Opposition Lawmakers Criticize Justice Dept Banner Featuring Leader’s Image

A newly installed banner at the nation’s Justice Department headquarters displaying the head of state’s image has reportedly sparked criticism from opposition figures, who allegedly likened it to authoritarianism and questioned the department’s impartiality.

Prominent opposition lawmakers, including the governor of a western coastal region, and several legal experts weighed in on social media Thursday, claiming the banner symbolized a biased Justice Department. Department officials said the banner, which read “Make America Safe Again,” honored the executive residence’s efforts to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.

“We are proud at this Department of Justice to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at the leader’s direction,” a Justice Department spokesperson reportedly told media outlets.

Meanwhile, the coastal governor called the banner “beyond parody,” while opposition senators accused the Justice Department of weaponizing its authority to appease the leader, who has openly called for the prosecution of his political rivals.

“The leader is weaponizing the Justice Department as his own personal law firm,” a senior lawmaker from a southwestern region reportedly said.

Another opposition legislator from a western region also criticized the move. Federal prosecutors recently failed to secure an indictment against him after he instructed military members to refuse to follow illegal orders.

“The grift, groveling, and weaponization of our government is chilling,” the lawmaker said. “The Justice Department works for the people. They shouldn’t be political henchmen for the leader–or any other head of state.”

A senior lawmaker from a northeastern coastal state said: “The Department of Justice is supposed to work for and represent you, not him.”

A writer for a prominent magazine said the Justice Department was “a pure creature of presidential whim, retribution, and cover-up,” adding the banner had “the virtue of candor at least.”

Prominent opposition figures called the banner “shameful,” with one adding: “But in a way useful. No one should any longer pretend we have a ‘Department of Justice.’ We have a Department of [the Leader].”

A former legislator from a mid-Atlantic region, known for opposing the current administration, questioned if the banner was artificial intelligence-generated.

“Nothing says Justice is Blind like hanging a Dear Leader Banner at the Justice Department,” the former official reportedly said.

Others allegedly called it a sign of “fascism” and compared it to authoritarian regimes in East Asia, historical fascist movements, and single-party states.

A former longtime intelligence community official said the “Pyongyangification” of the capital continues, according to social media posts.

The banner is reportedly not the first to appear on a federal building in the capital, as part of an executive initiative to honor 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Department of Labor has for months prominently featured a similar sign reading “Workers First.”

Ruling party members had a largely muted response to the move to install the leader’s image on the Justice Department building. A former senior adviser to the leader gave supportive reactions, while a government official simply said “True,” according to observers.

As is common in nations with polarized political systems, the controversy reflects ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition over the independence of law enforcement institutions.