President Donald Trump pandered to his cult of supporters on Tuesday morning by declaring that he has authorized use of a federal law to arrest and imprison people who bring down statues or monuments, presumably those dedicated to the Confederacy.
Racist statues and monuments are being torn down across the country by Americans who are sick and tired of the bigotry and distorted history they represent. That’s why many Confederate monuments have been brought down.
But Trump, of course, opposes the removal of these statues and monuments because his supporters are racists.
So, he pretended to do something about it.
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
…..This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
The problem is that this law has already been in effect because it’s a law. Trump had nothing to do with it, nor can he sentence anyone to prison because he’s not a judge or jury. Furthermore, people have been arrested for vandalism before today — they didn’t need Trump’s bogus declaration to have the “authority” to enforce a law.
Also, since many of these Confederate monuments and statues are state or local property, this federal law does not apply and cannot be used to intimidate or punish Americans. And again, they have their own laws already in effect.
Twitter users mocked Trump for pretending he’s a dictator.
Trump now thinks he is not only President but also the judge and jury. SEPARATION OF POWER!
— Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) June 23, 2020
I have authorized the president to watch himself on television while cramming burgers into his face, and then to jet off for a meaningless photo op in front of his stupid racist wall. YES I AM TAKING CHARGE HERE, VERY BOLD ACTION, VERY STRONG
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) June 23, 2020
this my favorite Trump move: when he AUTHORIZES someone to do something that was already in effect. BOLD MOVE THERE, BABYHANDS, YOU’RE REALLY TAKING CHARGE. how’s the bunker this morning
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) June 23, 2020
More threats from Dictator Donald.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 23, 2020
Imagine if you used that executive power to arrest police who use brutality towards Black people.
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) June 23, 2020
“I have authorized”? Whether you like it or not, we are a democracy not a dictatorship. You don’t get to “authorize” anything…
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) June 23, 2020
I hereby the Donald of Trumps, declare that these laws are still the law. I am a stable genius. pic.twitter.com/FgAOkFMX1t
— Hoodlum ?? (@NotHoodlum) June 23, 2020
No law gives him the authority to send anyone to prison
— Carmela Starr (@CarmelaStarr7) June 23, 2020
Shorter: “I am authorizing a law that already exists and is already being applied because I need to pretend like I’m doing something” ??
— Jack ?? (@jackresists) June 23, 2020
If Trump were a real president, he would understand that he doesn’t get to declare when laws are in effect or not. He would also know when such laws can be applied.
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