Trump Authorizes Law Enforcement To Arrest And Prosecute Anyone Attempting To Destroy Statues On Federal Property

President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday morning that he has “authorized” law enforcement officials to arrest anyone attempting to destroy historic statues on federal property.

The President’s declaration comes hours after radical leftists attempted to tear down a statue of Andrew Jackson which stands in full view of the White House.

Trump cited the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, which addresses the destruction of statues commemorating those who have served in America’s armed forces.

The Act reads in part:

Whoever … willfully injures or destroys, or attempts to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the United States shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

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

RELATED: WATCH: Protester Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries After Confederate Statue Topples On His Head

Send Them to Prison

The President’s message reminds rioters that the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act authorizes a significant penalty for defacing and destroying historical statues on federal property.

“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 wrote.

Trump even suggested he may make use of the act retroactively to go after those who have already toppled statues.

“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!”

Nor should there be.

BREAKING: Anarchists attempting to tear down Andrew Jackson statue in front of the White House pic.twitter.com/xRrRQIuHY0

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) June 23, 2020

RELATED: Trump Taunts Schumer, Urges AOC To Run Against Him – ‘She’d Win!’

Police Take Over

Non-peaceful protesters who no longer bother to pretend they’re rioting in the name of justice attempted to take down a statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square Park Monday evening.

Police officers were able to reclaim control of the area before they successfully committed the crime of defacing a veteran’s memorial.

Metropolitan Police appear to be retaking control of the area
pic.twitter.com/e7M88JATKI

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 23, 2020

Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, has long been a target for activists for his role in signing the Indian Removal Act and the resulting ‘Trail of Tears.’

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) swiftly called upon President Trump to “deploy federal law enforcement to protect this 168-year-old statue and every other landmark in our nation’s capital.”

His call has been heeded.

President Trump: “George Washington was a slave owner… Are we gonna take down statues to George Washington? How about Thomas Jefferson?” pic.twitter.com/bUJnbaniwL

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 15, 2017

Criminal rioters have also been going after monuments of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, creating a slippery slope of absolute perfection for individuals who lived in distant times, under different circumstances.

Oddly enough, none of these thugs have been targeting statues or plaques honoring former President Barack Obama.

An amateur genealogical researcher in 2007 discovered that “Obama’s ancestors on his white mother’s side appear to have been slave owners.”