Wednesday morning, President Trump sent a stern warning to potential monument vandals, tweeting:
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!
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
Tuesday, Trump warned vandals who threw paint on the George Washington statue in Manhattan were being tracked down.
Trump warned “They will be prosecuted and face 10 years in Prison based on the Monuments and Statues Act. Turn yourselves in now!”
We are tracking down the two Anarchists who threw paint on the magnificent George Washington Statue in Manhattan. We have them on tape. They will be prosecuted and face 10 years in Prison based on the Monuments and Statues Act. Turn yourselves in now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2020
Last week, Trump said he had ““authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the US”.”