(KMOX) - President Donald Trump tweeted that “Numerous people” had been arrested for “the disgraceful vandalism” of statues and monuments around the U.S. He added: “10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!”
The warning comes as statues around the country are either be pulled down and destroyed during protests or taken away on decisions from politicians, park commissioners and others. The President is threatening prison sentences for anyone "who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S."
Trump stated, "this action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused."
It is unclear what the statute of limitations would be these cases.
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.....This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020In St. Louis, there's a call for the statue of Saint Louis IX in Forest Park to be taken down and the statue of Christopher Columbus in Tower Grove Park was removed last week in a decision made by the park commission. The park says have no plans for the statue yet, but it will not be destroyed.