On June 26, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the prosecution of individuals and groups that vandalize and destroy historical monuments, statues, and memorials. “They’re tearing down statues, desecrating monuments, and purging dissenters,” Trump said. “It’s not the behavior of a peaceful political movement; it’s the behavior of totalitarians and tyrants and people that don’t love our country.”
The White House statement notes that existing law already provides for prisons sentences of up to ten years for “for the willful injury of Federal property.” The executive order also directs that those who incite violence and illegal activity are prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law and that state and local authorities who “that fail to protect monuments, memorials, and statues will be subject to the withholding of Federal support.”
“President Trump will not tolerate the rampant violence and destruction that has occurred over the last 5 weeks,” the White House statement continues. “Left-wing extremists are rioting, looting, and calling for the destruction of the United States system of government. Through mob intimidation, these violent extremists are attempting to impose their ideology on the law-abiding citizens of this country. Some State and local governments are failing their citizens by not distinguishing between peaceful protest and violent chaos.” [cjo]
