MORTON, Wash. — A creative police chief in Morton, Washington, honored President Donald Trump with a handmade structure he built in his front yard.
Roger Morningstar made a 10-foot tall model of a Trump Tower, complete with 21 windows, lights, and drainage holes for when it rains, Seattle-based KIRO-TV reported. Mini lion statues and American flags flank either side of the tower.
“I thought about putting a little helicopter pad on the side and painting a helicopter that says Trump,” Morningstar told the news station.
The small-town police officer has received mixed reactions from people in the community.
“It’s his place. Let him do what he wants,” said Charles Edgar.
“I thought it was ridiculous, and I don’t think a police chief should be taking one side or another,” said Sheryl Armstrong.
Morningstar is glad the monument has sparked good conversations. But he didn’t expect to receive such harsh criticism.
“I was really surprised and hurt by the accusations of it being some kind of racist symbol, which it absolutely is not,” he said. “I’m half Jewish, and I’m half Mexican, but I’m all American.”
Morningstar, who also has other campaign signs in his yard, said he’ll move the tower to his backyard after the election. He plans to renovate it so it can be a playhouse for his daughter.
See more at KIRO7.com.
KIRO-TV contributed to this report.