A 13-foot replica of the Columbus statue was installed on the White House grounds outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, using salvaged pieces from the Baltimore statue toppled during 2020 protests.

The installation, framed by supporters as honoring Columbus as the start of European exploration and the modern order, is opposed by critics who view him as emblematic of conquest and Indigenous oppression.

The placement and debate surrounding the statue reflect broader tensions over how history and national identity are commemorated in public spaces.

Baltimore declined to reinstall a replacement statue, prompting organizers to pursue federal preservation of the sculpture’s remnant materials in Washington, D.C.

Baltimore officials initially refused public installation, prompting Russo to engage with the Trump Administration to move the project forward.

The piece includes a call to join ISDA and notes COPOMIAO as a national coalition of 74 groups.

The statue was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations to mark the U.S. 250th anniversary and celebrate Italian American culture.

Its installation was arranged with the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations and is meant to celebrate Italian American culture amid the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Funding and support came from the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, which retrieved pieces from the Baltimore statue to assemble the Washington installation and framed it as a celebration of Italian American culture."

The White House did not publicly confirm timelines or formal approval for the installation, despite reports from The Washington Post and statements from the artist.

Basil M. Russo led the installation in collaboration with COPOMIAO and other Italian American groups, with involvement from the Trump Administration.

COPOMIAO plans to announce its next major pro-Columbus lawsuit as it continues grassroots activism, Capitol Hill work, and broader Italian American advocacy.