Pres. Trump Threatens Vandals With Arrest, Up To 10 Years In Prison
Jun 23, 2020, 8:40 AM
Protesters attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. Protests continue around the country over the deaths of African Americans while in police custody. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis /Getty Images)
(Photo by Tasos Katopodis /Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Tuesday to announce he’s authorized authorities to arrest anyone caught vandalizing or destroying a monument on federal property.
Trump’s tweet came the day after protesters attempted to topple a statue of former President Andrew Jackson from its pedestal in Lafayette Square near the White House.
“I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent,” the president tweeted. “This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!”
…..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 told reporters Tuesday that he would be signing an executive order punishing people who vandalize monuments to U.S. veterans.
“All it’s really going to do is reinforce what’s already there, but in a more uniform way,” he said, acknowledging that a federal law already exists that prohibits vandalizing such monuments. Breaking that law is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
