President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt both responded to the latest spate of violent riots that have resulted in the destruction of historical statues across the U.S. by saying that it would not be tolerated.
The statements from Trump and Bernhardt come after rioters have destroyed presidential statues in recent days across the country, including statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ulysses S. Grant. Violent rioters in Washington, D.C., tried to destroy a statue of former President Andrew Jackson on Monday, which police were able to stop.
Trump tweeted, “Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!”
Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Bernhardt tweeted, “I just left Lafayette Square where another so called ‘peaceful protest’ led to destruction tonight. Let me be clear: we will not bow to anarchists. Law and order will prevail, and justice will be served.”
Bernhardt continued, “The scope of the violence and destruction since the protests started weeks ago have been significant. Criminals have vandalized national memorials and monuments, ignited sacred sites, attacked law enforcement officers, and destroyed countless businesses.”
The scope of the violence and destruction since the protests started weeks ago have been significant. Criminals have vandalized national memorials and monuments, ignited sacred sites, attacked law enforcement officers, and destroyed countless businesses.
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 23, 2020
“The Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial were previously defaced, and now the Andrew Jackson Statue in Lafayette Square has been defaced by criminals who sought to topple the statue recognizing the seventh President of the United States,” Bernhardt continued. “Law enforcement officers ensured that this would not happen.”
Law enforcement officers ensured that this would not happen.
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 23, 2020
“Across the country, some elected leaders of our cities have expressed enthusiasm and support for these criminals, exhibiting an undeniable unwillingness to protect law abiding citizens and their property,” Bernhardt concluded. “We live in the greatest country in the world, and I thank our dedicated law enforcement officials who stand tall against these coordinated attacks and seek peace and justice for all.”
We live in the greatest country in the world, and I thank our dedicated law enforcement officials who stand tall against these coordinated attacks and seek peace and justice for all.
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 23, 2020
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote on Monday that if this group of far-left rioters is not stopped that the result will be a severe backlash:
They won’t stop by themselves because their campaign is essentially about power and control, and they need new villains. But as they march through liberal institutions, they are also laying waste to liberal values of free speech, democratic debate and cultural tolerance.
Someone has to stop this, and first and foremost that means the liberal establishment. The leaders of universities, foundations, museums, the media and corporations need to draw on their remaining moral authority to make the case for a liberal society. There is a risk that anyone who speaks up, however reasonably, will become a mob target. But if one or two lead, perhaps others will follow.
Social comity in a polarized society will not be achieved through coercion and struggle sessions. If liberals won’t stop the Jacobin left, expect a political backlash and social fracture that will make Donald Trump’s Presidency look like a tea party.
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