A provocative statue that had captured the attention of tourists and residents on the National Mall has returned to public view after a week-long absence.

The artwork, commonly referred to as the “Trump-Epstein friendship statue,” depicts president Donald Trump holding hands and skipping with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The installation is the work of the activist collective Secret Handshake , which said this week that the sculpture was restored after being broken apart and removed by authorities last week.

The group said the statue was initially taken down by U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service (NPS) on Sept. 24, just one day after it first appeared. According to organizers, the original permit allowed it to remain through Sept. 28 but i

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