Legal battle continues over Christopher Columbus statue

President Donald Trump is renewing his call for a statue of Christopher Columbus to be returned to its former location outside Columbus City Hall.

The statue stood outside city hall for decades before it was removed in 2020. Debate over its future has continued during the six years since its removal.

Trump called for the statue to be returned Friday. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther responded with a statement saying he and the president have different priorities.

The city’s Reimagining Columbus project released recommendations last year concerning the statue’s future.

Several Italian-American organizations filed a lawsuit against the city this spring seeking to have the statue returned.

The statue remains in storage while the legal dispute continues.