One of the latest trends among American protesters is the toppling of historical statues, and with good reason.
Back when the US military helped to liberate Iraq, we were inundated by images of revelers tearing down a large, metal likeness of Saddam Hussein. Over and over and over again it was fed to us.
Today’s demonstrators simply understand the power of the symbolism inherent in this sort of spectacle, and are hoping to keep their movement alive by injecting it with this sort of revolutionary rhetoric.
President Trump is not at all fond of this development, and is preparing to hand down harsher punishments to those who are caught engaging in this behavior.
President Trump declared Tuesday morning that anyone caught vandalizing monuments or any other federal property can be subject to arrest and face up to 10 years in prison.
The president’s latest statement follows an attempt to take down a statue of Andrew Jackson in Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square near the White House Monday night, a second incident targeting the nearby St. John’s Church, and prior vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial.
“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,” Trump tweeted. “This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!”
The latest monument to come under attack was a statue of President Andrew Jackson that stands within blocks of the White House. Police in Washington DC were able to secure the area before protesters could find success in their destructive endeavors.
