US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had signed a very strong executive order to protect the country’s monuments and statues from vandalism.
“I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues – and combatting recent Criminal Violence,” Trump tweeted.
“Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country!” he added.
Earlier this week, Trump said that he was preparing an order, after protestors tried to tear down a statue of former President Andrew Jackson near the White House.
Trump’s order came as many controversial statues across the country have been targeted amid weeks of protests across the country following the death of George Floyd, an African-American man in police custody last month.
The National Guard troops has been activated in Washington DC to protect federal monuments and infrastructure.
“President Trump has signed an executive order to ensure anyone that destroys or vandalizes a monument, memorial, or statue is prosecuted to the fullest extent,” The White House said.
