Trump says he signed ‘very strong’ executive order to protect monuments and statues

“I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues – and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country!” the president tweeted.

The details of the executive order are unclear as the text has not yet been released.

Fox News reported that the order will withhold federal support related to public spaces from state and local governments that fail to protect monuments and statues within their jurisdiction. The order also withdraws federal grants for law enforcement agencies that do not prevent the desecration of statues and memorials but provides federal assistance to those that do so.

Activists have recently claimed Confederate statues, which pay tribute to leaders such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, ought to be removed. Demonstrators, however, have also attempted to tear down or petition local governments to decommission statues of historical figures such as former Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant.

Trump, on Tuesday, said he authorized the government to arrest those who vandalize or destroy statues and that those guilty would face up to 10 years in prison under the Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act.

“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,” he said. “This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused,” he added. “There will be no exceptions!”

On Thursday’s episode of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast, Verdict, Attorney General William Barr said his agency was using 35 joint terrorist task forces across the country to investigate criminal activity, saying over 500 investigations are currently underway.

Trump also stated his opposition to renaming Army bases named after Confederate war generals earlier this month, writing that his administration will “not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations.”