What does the placement of the statue of Christopher Columbus in front of the White House symbolize?

A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House, as part of the Trump administration's initiative to honor the controversial explorer. This is a replica of the statue that was torn down in Baltimore in 2020, during the protests against institutional racism. Trump supports the traditional view of Columbus, seen as a leader of the 1492 expedition, but critics view him as a symbol of the conquest and exploitation of indigenous populations. The White House stated that "Columbus is a hero" and that the statue will be honored for future generations. The statue, made of marble by sculptor Will Hemsley, was loaned by the Italian American Organizations United. The placement of the statue comes in a context where some institutions have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, a change rejected by Trump, who promised to bring back the celebration.