The National Guard will deploy unarmed personnel to guard Washington’s national monuments.
It came after President Donald Trump and other officials issues warnings to demonstrators and rioters who have defaced or vandalized statues.
The D.C. National Guard has not responded to a request for comment.
On Tuesday, the president vowed to crack down on people vandalizing a monument, saying they could face lengthy prison terms.
“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
His posts came as vandals attempted to take down a statue of former President Andrew Jackson near the White House.
The Interior Department noted that rioters “have vandalized national memorials and monuments, ignited sacred sites, attacked law enforcement officers, and destroyed countless businesses.”
“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. 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,” the agency wrote.
On Tuesday, D.C. police officers were seen clearing 16th and H streets in Washington, removing tents and makeshift barricades after demonstrators and anarchists tried to set up an “autonomous zone.”