Full Breakdown
Thirteen New Statues Installed at Washington’s Freedom Plaza Amid Controversy Over Caesar Rodney
5/25/2026, 7:56:58 PM
Installation of Thirteen New Statues at Freedom Plaza
On a Friday, National Park Service staff installed thirteen new statues at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C. The installation is part of a program marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The statues depict prominent American figures, according to the Department of the Interior.
Anniversary Context and Prior Removal of a Rodney Statue
One of the statues, representing Caesar Rodney, a Revolutionary-War officer, has attracted attention because his earlier monument in Delaware was removed during the summer-2020 protests. Rodney’s historical record includes the enslavement of hundreds of people, a fact that prompted the 2020 removal.
Statue Count and Historical Figures Represented
The project comprises thirteen statues. While the full roster of depicted individuals has not been disclosed, the inclusion of Rodney confirms that at least one figure with a contested legacy is featured.
Primary Agencies and Historical Figure Involved
The National Park Service (NPS) executed the installation under the oversight of the Department of the Interior. Caesar Rodney, a founding-father and former Delaware delegate, is the focal point of the controversy due to his slave-holding past.
Agency Statements on Installation
The Department of the Interior confirmed that NPS staff performed the installation on the specified Friday. The NPS has not yet provided details regarding the identities of the other twelve statues, and a request for comment remains unanswered.
Public Controversy Over Caesar Rodney’s Legacy
Critics highlight Rodney’s role as a slave owner, arguing that his commemoration conflicts with contemporary values. The prior removal of his Delaware statue during 2020 protests underscores ongoing debates about how historical figures with ties to slavery are memorialized in public spaces.
Local Observations and Reactions
News4 reporters documented reactions from passersby. One man described the scene as “interesting.” A woman remarked, “It’s emotional.” Another woman expressed a personal connection, stating, “Anything that’s got to do with the military and things of that sort, it has my heart.” A third woman emphasized narrative responsibility: “A story about America, right? Then be intentional, be responsible and tell the whole thing.”
Unresolved Details and Information Gaps
The NPS has not identified the remaining twelve figures, leaving the full scope of the exhibition unclear. No official explanation has been offered regarding the decision to place Rodney’s statue at a federal site despite prior removal elsewhere.
Verbatim Quotes from On-site Commentators
- “It’s emotional.” — Woman, onlooker
- “Anything that’s got to do with the military and things of that sort, it has my heart.” — Woman, onlooker
- “A story about America, right? Then be intentional, be responsible and tell the whole thing.” — Woman, onlooker
- “Seeing the statues and the discussions about them are interesting.” — Man, onlooker
Future Access and Ongoing Installation
Freedom Plaza remains closed to the public while the installation proceeds, and the site will remain inaccessible until the project is completed.
