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Trump authorizes arrests.
Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich reacts to the growing unrest after protesters fail to topple a statue of Andrew Jackson outside the White House.
Who is authorized to investigate and prosecute individuals who participate in the destruction of federal monuments and property?
On June 23, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing law enforcement officials to arrest anyone who vandalizes, damages or destroys federal property, including monuments and statues. This order comes amidst the ongoing nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, which have led to the tearing down of several statues and monuments across the country.
The executive order titled “Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence” asserts that the recent acts of destruction of property have been carried out by “violent anarchists and left-wing extremists.” President Trump has repeatedly condemned such acts of vandalism and has vowed to protect the country’s heritage.
The order directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of individuals who participate in the destruction of federal monuments and property. The executive order also authorizes federal agencies to withhold funds from state and local governments that fail to protect federal monuments and property from damage, destruction, or otherwise.
The order’s language suggests that the federal government is determined to maintain law and order and protect the national heritage. However, civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have criticized the executive order, stating that it goes against the principles of free speech and peaceful protest.
The ACLU also says that the executive order may lead to excessive force by law enforcement officials in situations where there may not be any such need. The organization has further stated that the use of extreme law enforcement measures to safeguard monuments may divert attention from the urgent need to address police brutality and systemic racism.
The recent protests against racial injustice and police brutality have brought to light many of the historic injustices that have been perpetuated in the country, particularly against black Americans. The destruction of certain statues and monuments has been seen as a symbolic act of resistance against a past that is still haunting the country to this day.
In conclusion, President Trump’s executive order to authorize the arrests of anyone who vandalizes federal monuments and property is a significant move towards the protection of the country’s heritage. However, it is crucial that the government proceeds with caution and ensures that the rights of citizens to free speech and peaceful protests are protected. Additionally, it is paramount that the focus remains on the larger issues of systemic racism and police brutality, which need urgent attention and redressal.
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