Recently Donald Trump – President of the United States announced that he has authorized the government to arrest anyone trying to tear down the monuments and statues. He also mentioned that they could get upto 10 years in prison if anyone is caught doing such activities.
Statue of 7th President of USA targeted
Earlier protesters tried to damage the statue of Andrew Jackson which is just across the White House. In his Tweet Trump mentioned –
“I have authorised the federal government to arrest anyone who vandalises or destroys any monument, statue or other such federal property in the US with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act.”
This comes after a wave of nationwide rallies calling for racial justice, which has swept across United States and other major cities across the globe.
Earlier this week, opponents tried to tumble the statue. This authorities had to use tear gas to disperse the mob from the park. The protesters somehow managed to spray paint the word “killer” on the base of the historical monument.
From the fact, in history, it is said that Jackson’s legacy owned slaves and participated in the Native American genocide. Even previously there has been a call for Jackson’s face to be removed from the $20 bill. By then activists want it to replace with an image of Harriet Tubman.
Since then, monuments from the civil war era associated with slavery, and the colonization of Native Americans by Europeans have been targeted for destruction. Trump also said –
“Last night we stopped an attack on a great monument of Andrew Jackson and Lafayette Park. We are looking at long term jail sentences for these vandals, hoodlums, anarchists and agitators. Some people don’t like that language, but that’s what they are: Bad people. They don’t love our country, and they’re not taking down our monuments.”
New Orders Applies – Retroactively
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
He also mentioned that the new order applies “retroactively”. This summarizes that people can be caught and penalized who has taken part in such offenses previously. While others suggest that it is not possible to charge a person for a crime retroactively.
On a further note, Trump added –
“I will have an executive order very shortly. And all it’s really going to do is reinforce what’s already there, but in a more uniform way. If the state governments, as you see them, all over, Seattle. They’re very weak. And in Minnesota, they might need help. If they need help, the federal government is willing to help them.”
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…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Trump also mentioned that “many people” are already in custody after being arrested last night and warned that many more will be going to, if they don’t stop. Trump added that he was a “fan” of Jackson, but did not elaborate on his admiration.
President said that the protesters could be charged under the Veterans Memorial Preservation or “such other laws that may be pertinent.”
