Under President Trump’s monument executive order, supporters of his who had stormed the Capitol building rejecting the Electoral College Vote results could face up to 10 years in prison for “injury of federal property.” The order was signed in mid-June protecting American monuments, memorials, and statues from being destroyed, damaged, vandalized, or desecrated. President Trump also called on long prison terms for those who engaged in criminal violence against the United States.
The executive order was to ensure the protection of life, property, and rights for all citizens while punishing those who call for the destruction of the United States system of government through violence and mob intimidation.
“Individuals and organizations have the right to peacefully advocate for either the removal or the construction of any monument. But no individual or group has the right to damage, deface, or remove any monument by use of force,” the order reads.
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen has been coordinating with the National Guard, Capitol, and D.C. police, as well as the Departments of the Interior and Homeland Security, to identify those that are responsible and ensure they face the full consequences of their actions under the law.
“Yesterday, our nation watched in disbelief as a mob breached the Capitol Building and required federal and local law enforcement to help restore order. The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack on our Government and the rule of law face the full consequences of their actions under the law,” Rosen said.
Lawmakers evacuated the Capitol building as rioters invaded the congressional offices and vandalized the Senate Chambers. Rioters had vandalized some of the offices, looted items like podiums from the building, rifled through desks, and left threatening messages such as “We will not back down” in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office.
Journalists reported on social media that the Capitol building was “completely trashed” after. Two officers were sent to the hospital, at least 14 law enforcement officials were wounded, and one woman was fatally shot when rioters breached the Capitol building.
The FBI is using facial recognition tools in identifying individuals who may have been involved in the Capitol’s violent conduct and asking anyone with information about those involved to come forward.
President Trump has consistently condemned the violence against the Capitol building and told his supporters to “go home,” even though he understands the frustration surrounding the Electoral College Vote results. Republican strategist Luke Thompson also reiterated law and order by tweeting “ten years for every single one of these people,” referring to Wednesday’s rioters.
There is no place for lawlessness in the United States, even though thousands of rioters from the summer protests have suffered few consequences from burning down dozens of small businesses. Ten years to the Capitol rioters and ten years for each and every member of BLM and Antifa that turned a blind eye.
