President Trump: Executive order to protect monuments, statues in full force
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| The White House is visible behind a statue of President Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in Washington, with the word “Killer” spray painted on its base. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) |
OAN Newsroom • Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Protesters across the nation have torn down Confederate statues and vandalized federal monuments in recent weeks. President Trump recently fired back and has promised there will be retribution.
“They’re bad people, they don’t love our country and they’re not taking down our monuments,” he said. “I want to make that clear.”
Amid the unrest following the death of George Floyd, demonstrators have toppled or vandalized statues of Confederate soldiers, colonial figures, national monuments and memorials.
In response, the president signed an executive order, which directed federal agencies to prosecute those who damage federal property.
“We are looking at long-term jail sentences for these vandals and these hoodlums entities, these anarchists and agitators,” he stated.
“They’re bad people, they don’t love our country and they’re not taking down our monuments,” he said. “I want to make that clear.”
Amid the unrest following the death of George Floyd, demonstrators have toppled or vandalized statues of Confederate soldiers, colonial figures, national monuments and memorials.
In response, the president signed an executive order, which directed federal agencies to prosecute those who damage federal property.
“We are looking at long-term jail sentences for these vandals and these hoodlums entities, these anarchists and agitators,” he stated.
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| FILE – In this Oct. 14, 2019, file photo, a sign reading “stop celebrating genocide” sits at the base of a statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence, R.I., after it was vandalized with red paint. (AP Photo/Michelle R. Smith, File) |
In a tweet, President Trump announced his executive order is in “full force and effect.” He added violations could result in a more than 10-year prison term.
The president then advised people to not put themselves in jeopardy and noted “many people are now under arrest.”
The president then advised people to not put themselves in jeopardy and noted “many people are now under arrest.”
My Executive Order to protect Monuments, Statues etc., IS IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. In excess of a 10 year prison term. Please do not put yourself in jeopardy. Many people now under arrest!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2020
The order will reportedly allow the government to withhold federal funding to cities that don’t protect federal statues monuments and memorials.
The Department of Homeland Security has also taken action to protect monuments over the Independence Day weekend.
According to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, the holiday may see increases in disruptive activity. He has said the agency is “forward leaning in preparing to protect federal facilities and property.”
Special units will be deployed to Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C.
The Department of Homeland Security has also taken action to protect monuments over the Independence Day weekend.
According to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, the holiday may see increases in disruptive activity. He has said the agency is “forward leaning in preparing to protect federal facilities and property.”
Special units will be deployed to Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C.
