President Trump threatened an extremely stiff punishment for anyone harming statues, even if it's just an attempt. He said they will face an automatic prison term.
After the death of George Floyd, many statues have become targets of violence during protests and riots. Initially, Confederate statues were targeted, but it has progressed to any historical statue.
"No, Radical Left anarchists, agitators, looters or protesters will not be knocking down or harming the Washington Monument, the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials," President Trump tweeted. "If they even try, an automatic 10 years in prison. Sorry!" Trump's warning included "just about any other" federal statues or monuments as well."
No, Radical Left anarchists, agitators, looters or protesters will not be knocking down or harming the Washington Monument, the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials, or just about any other Federal Monumrnt or Statue. If they even try, an automatic 10 years in prison. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2020
From the onset, President Trump has been very vocal about protecting historic monuments and punishing vandals. He was particularly vocal following incidents involving a monument of Andrew Jackson and vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial and St. John's Church.