The Trump administration responded to requests from a French politician who suggested the State of Liberty, a gift from France in 1884, be returned to the country.
During a press conference on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt laughed off the question when asked if the country would consider sending back the iconic statue sitting outside New York City.
“Absolutely not. My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” Leavitt said, referring to America’s presence in World War II and its efforts to beat Nazi Germany. “They should be grateful.”
The question about whether or not the statue should be returned comes after Raphaël Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament, said at a party convention that the country no longer represented what the monument stands for, thanks to the Trump administration.
The statue was gifted as a means to formalize diplomacy between France and the United States, enshrining the concept of American independence and the end of slavery.
“We’re going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: ‘Give us back the Statue of Liberty,’” Glucksmann said.
The remarks from Glucksmann come as the Trump administration continues to carry out mass layoffs, deportations, and government restructuring. Glucksmann appeared to disapprove of the administration’s recent purge within the Department of Health and Human Services, which saw thousands of scientists and public health leaders let go.
Glucksmann said France would gladly absorb the U.S.’s research sector if the country doesn’t intend to restore the positions.
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As for the Statue of Liberty, France isn’t able to force Lady Liberty to be returned, as it is the property of the U.S. government. Trump has not commented on Glucksmann’s remarks.
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