A new banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump hangs from the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Former GOP strategist turned anti-Trump commentator Amanda Carpenter tore into President Donald Trump on MS NOW's "Deadline: White House" on Thursday after the Justice Department building unveiled a massive banner depicting his face.
The comments came during a segment raising alarm about Trump officials' ongoing interference in Georgia, as they try to conduct yet another dubious investigation into conspiracy theories about voter fraud in 2020, which has repeatedly been rejected by election officials and courts alike.
"They're very focused on changing these outcomes," Carpenter told anchor Nicolle Wallace. "When Donald Trump talks about, like, we've identified 15 places where we might have to take over elections, they have surgical precision for how they want to approach this. And so,you know, I have a lot ofoptimism going forward becauseI've seen the people of Minnesota, such a great nationalexample of what they werewilling to do to protect theirdemocracy, to turn out in thestreets. I've seen it in thepeople of Chicago, and peopleare rejecting this."
"I don'tknow if you saw, Nicolle, but toDonald Trump put his image in abig banner over the Departmentof Justice, right above thewords Department of Justice,literally as if, 'Look, I amabove the law,'" said Carpenter. "And maybe thatdoes jazz up some MAGA supporters, but I think mostAmericans, because it is in our DNA to reject this sort of tyranny, to look at that and say, that is not what America is supposed to be."
Furthermore, she argued, Americans can separate out their own love of country from the personality cult of its leader.
"You can celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, but you can say no to that," said Carpenter. "You can say no to this looming image hanging over your head, his mugshot, what it looks like on the Department of Justice and say that has gone too far because, you know, this sort of propaganda presidency that we see, this is about him taking up public space that he doesn't own or deserve our tax dollars, pay for that building, and those prosecutors to uphold the rule of law, not protect Donald Trump and do his bidding."
Ultimately, she said, "I think that is just the perfect image. And I looked at that and it just completely energized me to do the work I do. And I think if more people look at that, they'll feel the same."