Washington, D.C. — September 5, 2025
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the removal of the White House Peace Vigil, a 24-hour anti-nuclear protest that has stood in Lafayette Square for more than four decades. The directive, delivered during a press briefing, marked the sharpest challenge yet to an encampment that its supporters consider a living symbol of dissent in the nation’s capital.
“Take it down today, right now,” Trump told aides, describing the vigil’s tent and signs as “an eyesore” and suggesting that the installation violates park-use rules.
Later that evening, the head of the U.S. Marshals Service arrived on the scene, joining senior officials from the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Secret Service. The three agencies huddled briefly on the north side of Lafayette Square, according to witnesses, but no action was taken. The vigil — a small tent draped with hand-painted placards calling for nuclear disarmament — remained in place through the night.
A 44-year presence
The vigil began in June 1981, when activist William Thomas set up camp across from the White House to protest nuclear weapons and U.S. military policy. His message was simple but relentless: the danger of nuclear conflict required constant vigilance. Over time, the display grew to include weathered signs warning of the consequences of war, and Thomas was joined by other activists, most famously Concepción Picciotto, who kept watch for nearly three decades until her death in 2016.
Since then, the effort has been led by Philipos Melaku-Bello, who, along with a rotating group of volunteers, ensures that someone is always present — day and night. Federal regulations allow the vigil only so long as it is continuously staffed, creating a system in which activists trade shifts to keep the protest alive.
A point of contention
The vigil’s longevity has made it both a Washington fixture and a source of controversy. Supporters describe it as the country’s longest-running continuous political protest and a reminder that even a single tent can command the attention of presidents.
Critics, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), have argued that the vigil constitutes a permanent encampment inconsistent with the rules governing Lafayette Square. City officials have occasionally raised concerns about safety and aesthetics in one of Washington’s most heavily visited public spaces.
Uncertain future
As of Friday morning, the signs — some bearing messages that have weathered years of sun and rain — still faced the White House fence. Federal officials have not clarified whether they intend to enforce Trump’s order in the coming days.
[…] for 44 years before being cleared, after President Donald Trump learned of its displays during a White House event and directed aides to take it […]