Climate protester arrested for spray-painting signs at Trump Tower in NYC, police say

David Matthews, New York Daily News on Apr 23, 2025

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NEW YORK — A climate protester was arrested Wednesday for spray-painting a sign inside Trump Tower in Manhattan.

Video of the incident shows a light-haired man wearing a black T-shirt and black pants spraying “USA” in green paint over the center of a mock Presidential Seal plaque that reads “President of the United States” at the top, “Donald Trump” at the bottom and “45” in the middle. The man then kneels down and folds his hands in front of himself.

As a security guard approaches, the man holds up a small banner reading “GAME OVER” with the symbol for the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion. Another man identifies himself as a New York City police officer when asked, then comes and puts the man’s hands behind his back while a bystander says, “Do not touch him.”

After being handcuffed, the man then says, “This is your country. This is our country. This is our planet. You cannot ruin it without comment. They are ruining the planet for profit” as a group of security leads him away and parts the crowd.

The suspect was identified as Crown Heights resident Nathaniel Smith, 36.

He was charged with making graffiti, possession of graffiti instrument and criminal tampering.

Smith was previously arrested April 9 for criminal trespass at Columbia University.

“The U.S. Secret Service is aware of an incident involving a person spray painting graffiti inside the public lobby of Trump Tower in New York City,” U.S. Secret Service spokesperson told the Daily News.” There are no disruptions to protective operations. We thank the NYPD for their immediate response and unwavering partnership.”

The incident came a day after Extinction Rebellion activists spray-painted the Wall St. bull statue and then cleaned it up as part of an Earth Day demonstration.

The group also vandalized a Tesla dealership in the Meatpacking District and interrupted a New York City Ballet performance Tuesday.

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