President Donald Trump announced Tuesday morning his intent to prosecute two individuals who allegedly threw paint on a statue of George Washington in New York City on Monday.
“We are tracking down the two Anarchists who threw paint on the magnificent George Washington Statue in Manhattan. We have them on tape,” the president tweeted. “They will be prosecuted and face 10 years in Prison based on the Monuments and Statues Act. Turn yourselves in now!” (RELATED: George Washington Monument Defaced In New York City)
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
Trump signed an executive order on Friday that would direct Attorney General Bill Barr to prosecute any individual or group who “destroys, damages, vandalizes, or desecrates” any statues and monuments on government property.
Barr previously indicated that the Justice Department was investigating several individuals for defacing monuments in recent weeks.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump, with Attorney General William Barr, speaks in the Oval Office before signing an executive order related to regulating social media on May 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump’s executive order could lead to attempts to punish companies such as Twitter and Google for attempting to point out factual inconsistencies in social media posts by politicians. (Photo by Doug MIlls-Pool/Getty Images)
The text of the order also directs executive agency heads to withhold any federal grants from being awarded to state and local jurisdictions that don’t take active measures to protect statues.
The president activated 400 National Guard troops to protect federal monuments in Washington, D.C. through July 8 after protesters attempted to topple a statue of former President Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House.
WATCH:
BREAKING from Lafayette Square in front of The White House pic.twitter.com/jkRBdfUMRu
— RichieMcG (@RichieMcGinniss) June 23, 2020