Proposal for Trump’s Portrait at Mount Rushmore

Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) recently encouraged Interior Secretary Doug Burgham to consider adding President Trump’s portrait to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He mentioned that this addition could highlight Trump’s significant achievements, particularly regarding a recent domestic policy bill passed by Congress and ongoing border security initiatives.

“The legacy of Mount Rushmore shouldn’t be static,” Ogles stated, emphasizing that it must adapt to represent the evolving narrative of American history. He expressed his views on social media platforms.

The Department of the Interior did not provide a comment on Ogles’ proposal. However, a spokesperson mentioned that they take all communications from Congress seriously and would examine the issue carefully.

In a letter to Burgham, Ogles called for a feasibility study that would address technical, legal, and cultural concerns, seeking input from the public and experts. This is particularly relevant given that Mount Rushmore is situated on land sacred to the Lakota Sioux, leading to ongoing tensions with several Native American groups. The park attracts around 2 million visitors annually.

Ogles acknowledged that making physical changes to Mount Rushmore raises logistical and preservation questions, but he argued that such challenges should not hinder progress due to bureaucratic resistance or political discomfort.

“Addressing logistical issues may require collaboration with state officials or the courts, but recognizing President Trump’s contributions to restoring American greatness should take precedence,” he wrote in his letter.

The National Park Service (NPS) did not respond immediately but had previously indicated that while adding to a sculpture is technically feasible, the existing rock around the sculpted faces may not support additional carvings. Maureen McGee-Ballinger, chief of interpretation for the National Memorial, stated that the surrounding rocks aren’t suitable for further work.

The NPS has an ongoing partnership with Rock Mechanics Engineering Firm (RESPEC) to regularly assess the stability of the sculptures. RESPEC has reinforced the belief that new carvings could compromise the integrity of the existing ones.

In addition to Ogles’ request, Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation that would task the Secretary of the Interior with organizing sculptures of Trump’s likeness on Mount Rushmore. This proposed law has not yet moved forward in hearings.

In a 2019 interview, Trump had mixed feelings about the idea of altering the iconic monument, saying, “If you say yes, you might get backlash.” However, he has previously hinted at a desire to be memorialized alongside former presidents Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was running for governor of South Dakota at the time, recalled a 2018 conversation with Trump where he revealed it was his “dream” to have a presence at the memorial. “I started laughing,” Noem said, reflecting on his seriousness during their discussion.