President Trump has authorized federal authorities to arrest anyone who vandalizes statues on federal property.
According to The Daily Wire:
President Donald Trump announced early on Tuesday morning that he has “authorized” the federal government to arrest anyone who vandalizes statues or monuments on federal property.
The announcement from the president comes after rioters have destroyed numerous statues of former presidents in recent days, including statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ulysses S. Grant.
…..This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Trump later addressed the extremists who tried to set up an “autonomous zone” in Washington, D.C., tweeting: “There will never be an ‘Autonomous Zone’ in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!”
There will never be an “Autonomous Zone” in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Last night, Trump weighed in on the rioters who tried to destroy a statue of former President Andrew Jackson earlier in the day, writing: “Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!”
Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt is also on board and has also released a statement on the matter.
