Arrest Made in Damage to Federal Property at Union Station Following Rally

WASHINGTON - Isabella Giordano, 20, of Towson, Maryland, was arrested this morning and charged by criminal complaint for using spray paint on July 24 to deface several pieces of federal property at Columbus Circle in front of Union Station in Washington, D.C.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Chief Jessica M. E. Taylor of the U.S. Park Police (USPP), and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office.

Giordano will make her initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. She is charged with willfully injuring or depredating any property of the United States.

According to court documents, on July 24, 2024, an organization was granted a permit to demonstrate in the area of Columbus Circle, located at Massachusetts Ave. NE, and E St. NE, directly in front of Union Station. From approximately 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., demonstrators who had gathered in Columbus Circle pulled down flags affixed to the flagpoles; burned flags and objects; sprayed graffiti on multiple statutes and structures; and interfered with law enforcement's ability to place individuals under arrest.

Footage obtained from a review of open-source videos posted to X (formerly Twitter) showed Giordano using red spray paint to write "Gaza" on the Columbus Fountain. She also spray-painted the base of two of the flagpoles in Columbus Circle. On July 30, 2024, the U.S. Park Police posted a bulletin with multiple photos and the FBI issued a bulletin seeking information on five individuals, including Giordano, who engaged in criminal activity on July 24, 2024. On August 1, 2024, USPP received two tips identifying Giordano.

The flags pulled down from the flag poles, and the statutes and structures in Columbus Circle, are all property of the federal government. The National Park Service estimated that the cost to clean and repair the site at about $11,282.23.

This case is being investigated by the USPP's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit and the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Martin.

A criminal indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.