Firestorm as DOJ HQ unveils new Trump swag: 'Stunning confirmation of our grim reality'

A striking photo showing President Donald Trump's mug on a banner now adorning the Justice Department ignited a firestorm of outrage Thursday.

CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz shared a photo of the development on X, writing: "New banner went up at DOJ headquarters this afternoon."

The banner featured a dark blue hue of Trump with his campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." It follows similar banners installed last year on government buildings.

With the weaponization of the Justice Department already at the top of many peoples' minds, the new installation immediately triggered alarm bells on social media.

Niall Stanage, White House columnist at The Hill, noted a startling juxtaposition on X.

"In Britain today, they arrested a former prince. In the U.S. today, they hung a Trump banner on the Department of Justice," he noted.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D-CA) office compared the photo to what's seen in communist countries.

Longtime GOP strategist Sarah Longwell wrote on X, "Can’t imagine why people call him a fascist."

John Bresnahan of Punchbowl News chimed in on X, "Ok, let’s say a Democratic president did this …."

Ken Dilanian, MS Now justice and intelligence correspondent, lamented on X, "This is a stunning confirmation of the grim reality, which is that Donald Trump has seized control of the once independent Justice Department and is using it to pursue his political objectives—including trying to punish his perceived enemies. Exactly what his supporters baselessly accused the previous administration of doing."

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) reacted on X, "The Department of Injustice."

The Atlantic's David Frum wrote on X, "The Trump DoJ is a pure creature of presidential whim, retribution, and cover-up - so this banner has the virtue of candor at least."

Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance wrote on X, "Removing any doubt. Big Brother now runs the Justice Department. (Although we already knew that)."