Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate anti-Israel agitators who vandalized statues in Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square in a similar manner to how the department pursued rioters from the Jan. 6 Capitol protests. Cotton condemned the “anti-American, pro-Hamas thugs” who defaced statues of veterans near the White House, calling it a blatant violation of federal law. He expects the Justice Department to use all available resources against these individuals, just as they did against those involved in the Capitol riots.
The vandalism occurred during a protest in response to President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with many waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine.” While the protests started peacefully, some demonstrators turned their attention to the statues at Lafayette Square and defaced them with spray paint and graffiti. Others directed derogatory language at park rangers working in the area, with one individual wearing a Hamas headband holding up a bloodied face mask resembling Biden. The situation escalated as one demonstrator lit an American flag on fire.
Cotton drew parallels between this incident and the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, where supporters of former President Trump breached the building and caused chaos. Despite thousands of arrests resulting from the Capitol protests, no arrests were made during the Lafayette Square incident. Police attempted to apprehend a person who climbed a statue but were unsuccessful due to the crowd’s intervention. Following this, police deployed pepper spray, and the suspect managed to escape. The Justice Department has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
The lack of arrests during the Lafayette Square protest has raised concerns, especially in light of the extensive legal actions taken against individuals involved in the Capitol riots. Cotton’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. Anyone with information regarding the incidents at Lafayette Square is encouraged to contact the U.S. Park Police to assist in the investigation. The broader political context surrounding the protests and vandalism highlights the complex and often volatile nature of demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
