'Graywashing the values out of America': Quantico mural goes viral as symbol for Trump

As President Donald Trump's administration moves to terminate FBI officials who were involved in criminal investigations against him, a picture began to go viral of a redecorating project taking place at the FBI's training academy at Quantico, which many viewed as symbolic of what is to come for federal law enforcement under Trump's leadership.

The image showed an official covering a wall with gray paint, which had previously been a mural of words espousing values FBI agents are meant to embody, like "Fairness," "Diversity," "Integrity," "Respect," and "Compassion."

The FBI told The Washington Post in a statement that all visual and informational materials promoting diversity as a core value were being removed.

“The FBI is fully complying with the executive order regarding DEI programs,” the statement said. “While diversity is no longer an organizational core value for our employees, the FBI continues its work to serve and protect all Americans.”

Commenters on social media exploded over the image.

"FBI academy, Quantico, VA, 2025," wrote Trump University prosecutor Tristan Snell. "Donald Trump, literally graywashing the values out of America."

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"This photograph was taken two days ago at the FBI Academy in Quantico and submitted to the NYT under the condition of anonymity," wrote Texas pastor Zach W. Lambert. "If a picture is usually worth a thousand words, this one is worth millions."

"Literally white washing the FBI," wrote reporter Jennifer Schulze. "Out: integrity, stability, respect, leadership, fairness, diversity; In: revenge, enemies lists, prosecuting the prosecutors, lawlessness, chaos."

"Overheard from LGBT servicemember: 'If only it had occurred to us to paint diversity, equity, inclusion word clouds onto the sides of our rusting warships in December, this administration might actually be accomplishing something useful right now,'" wrote Duffel Blog writer and satirist "Dark Laughter."

"Assuming we make it through the next couple of decades, this will be an incredible image for future historians/students of the Trump era," wrote historian Nicholas Guyatt.