A climate demonstration turned into a criminal act Wednesday afternoon when a protester was apprehended for vandalizing a presidential plaque inside Trump Tower.
Climate protester defaces Trump tower
The suspect, identified by authorities as 36-year-old Nathaniel Smith, reportedly sprayed the word “USA” in green paint across a presidential seal inside the Manhattan skyscraper before proceeding to kneel in front of it with his eyes closed.
Footage of the incident, circulated on social media platform X, captured Smith as he defaced the plaque in the Midtown building.
As passersby began to gather, Smith was seen pulling out a small banner that read “GAME OVER,” emblazoned with the emblem of the activist group Extinction Rebellion.
A security guard approached shortly after, just before officers from the NYPD took Smith into custody.
NOW: Trump Tower placard DEFACED with Chalk Spray Paint by Climate Activists in NYC.
Climate activist with Extinction Rebellion walked into NYC Trump Tower, spray painting “USA” over the presidential placard inside. As he kneeled down in front, he was soon arrested by the secret… pic.twitter.com/Xz1flrpW5e
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) April 23, 2025
“This is your country. This is our country. This is our planet,” he said while being led away. “You cannot ruin it without comment. They are ruining the planet for profit.”
According to police, the Crown Heights resident, faces multiple charges, including graffiti-related offenses, criminal tampering, and possession of tools used for defacing property.
Law enforcement sources also noted that Smith had previously been arrested for trespassing at Columbia University.
Climate protester part of disruptive Extinction Rebellion group
Although the arrest was handled by the NYPD, the U.S. Secret Service issued a statement regarding the incident.
Agency spokesperson James Byrne confirmed that the agency “is aware of an incident involving a person spray painting graffiti inside the public lobby of Trump Tower in New York City.”
“There are no disruptions to protective operations,” he added. “We thank the NYPD for their immediate response and unwavering partnership.”
This protest follows closely behind another stunt by the same environmental activist group, which made headlines the previous day.
Members of Extinction Rebellion targeted the Wall Street Charging Bull, applying spray paint before removing it while law enforcement observed nearby.
Later, the group also hit the Tesla showroom in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, defacing its windows. Police reported that two individuals were arrested in that case.
Lawmaker lost a ton of cash in purse theft
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a high-profile theft occurred over the weekend in Washington, D.C., involving Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
According to reports, Noem’s designer handbag, stuffed with $3,000 in cash, was stolen while she was dining with family at The Capital Burger, located roughly a mile from the White House.
A source told The New York Post that the 53-year-old had just paid for dinner when she felt something touch her leg.
At first, she assumed it might have been one of her grandchildren but quickly realized her handbag had disappeared.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement explaining why he lawmaker was carrying so much cash.
“Her entire family was in town, including her children and grandchildren — she was using the cash withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,” the agency commented.
In addition to the cash, the stolen Gucci bag reportedly contained a wide array of personal and official items: a driver’s license, passport, DHS badge, cosmetics, checks, a bank card, a healthcare card, prescription medication, and keys to her residence.
Surveillance footage reviewed by the Secret Service captured a suspect, described as a white male, wearing dark clothing, a ball cap, a “fur-type” collar, and a white N95 mask.
The man is seen scanning the restaurant, lifting the handbag from beneath the table, concealing it with his jacket, and exiting the establishment.
The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting Noem as part of her federal position, has launched an investigation into whether any of the stolen financial items have been used fraudulently.
It is unclear whether her protective detail was present inside the venue at the time of the theft.
Suspect may have committed similar theft
Just days earlier, a similar theft occurred only a few blocks away. A woman dining with family inside the Westin Hotel told NBC News her purse was stolen while seated at the restaurant.
According to a police report, the thief snatched the handbag from a chair. The woman only noticed the missing item after receiving the bill.
Authorities investigating both cases have noted potential similarities. In both incidents, the suspect was described as a white male wearing a dark hat, dark attire, and an N95 mask.
Surveillance footage reportedly reviewed by investigators in the Noem case matches this description.
The victim of the Westin Hotel theft told NBC News: “I’m shocked at the similarity of the crime.”
Although no direct link has been confirmed, police contacted the woman on Tuesday and brought up the theft involving Secretary Noem.
According to her, officers inquired whether she had any political affiliations. She clarified that she did not.
