D.C. National Guard is stepping in to provide additional protection to monuments across Washington, D.C., amid protests throughout the nation’s capital.
National Guard spokesman Major Robert Perino released a statement to CNN on Wednesday in response to a request for assistance from law enforcement officials.
“The District of Columbia National Guard is responding to a request to support law enforcement officials and has dispatched unarmed personnel, with others on stand-by,” Perino said.
He added, “Activated Guardsmen are expected to provide security for local monuments and critical infrastructure.”
The guard units will be expected to remain in Washington, D.C, through July 4.
Perino’s statement comes shortly after President Donald Trump announced his plans to issue an executive order compelling cities to protect monuments, as IJR previously reported.
During an interview with Eternal Word Television Network on Tuesday, Trump shared his thoughts on the removal of statues and monuments.
“It’s a disgrace,” Trump said. “Remember, some of this is great artwork. This is magnificent artwork, as good as there is anywhere in the world, as good as you see in France, as good as you see anywhere. It’s a disgrace.”
Trump also took to Twitter to warn protesters of the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act.
He issued another warning to protesters on Tuesday, as IJR previously reported.
“There will never be an ‘Autonomous Zone’ in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!” Trump tweeted.
Twitter flagged the tweet for “violating” the platform’s rules against abusive behavior.
“We’ve placed a public interest notice on this Tweet for violating our policy against abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group,” Twitter said.
Protests began to erupt in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
