Trump Calls Iwo Jima Attack ‘Disgrace’ After Sledgehammer Damage
President Trump condemns sledgehammer attack on Iwo Jima memorial, calls suspect ‘from Mexico’.
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President Donald Trump condemned the sledgehammer attack on an Iwo Jima memorial statue near Marine Corps Base Quantico, calling the act a “disgrace.” The incident occurred on October 21, when a man struck the statue, removing one figure’s head and causing significant damage. Trump made the remarks during a press briefing when asked about the incident and his response to those who disrespect military memorials.
Trump’s Remarks and Suspect Identification
Trump stated that the attack was “terrible” and speculated that the suspect “comes from Mexico,” citing the open border policies under President Joe Biden. He did not specify any punishment for the suspect, though he emphasized the gravity of the act, calling it a “disgrace” to a “very important memorial.”
Prince William County police identified the suspect as Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, of Stafford, Virginia. Officers responded to the scene at approximately 10:13 p.m. on October 21 and detained Soriano without incident. The damage to the statue, including the removal of a head, is estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Charges and Legal Status
Soriano faces charges of felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property, and felony injury to a monument. He was held without bond and is awaiting a court date. Police have not identified a motive for the attack.
Soriano entered the U.S. illegally in December 1999 and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status under the Obama administration in 2014. His DACA protection was extended under the Biden administration in 2024 but ended under the Trump administration this year.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about border security and respect for military memorials. Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing criticism of Biden’s immigration policies, though the legal and ethical implications of the attack remain a focus of public and law enforcement attention.
Source: Breitbart
