US Park Police seek to ID person in Reflecting Pool vandalism investigation

 U.S. Park Police are seeking assistance in identifying a person wanted in connection to a "destruction of government property" investigation related to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Park Police posted on social media Wednesday a video of the alleged incident that shows a person reaching into the Reflecting Pool and appearing to pull something from the water. The video is somewhat blurry and shot from a distance. ABC News has reached out to National Park Service and Park Police about the source of the video.

The incident allegedly occurred at 3:36 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19. Park Police said anyone with information on the identity of the individual should contact their tip line.

The bulletin comes as President Donald Trump continues to blame vandals for alleged damage at the Reflecting Pool after his administration's $16 million renovation.

The White House has yet to provide evidence that shows the alleged vandalism to the

"The Reflecting Pool that you've heard so much about, which is so incredible, it's been gruesomely vandalized by thugs, bad people, but soon will be looking as beautiful as it looked just two weeks ago," Trump said on Wednesday night as he kicked off Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair with remarks on the National Mall.

"In fact, I looked at it just a little while ago, it looks perfect already," the president continued. "But we’re fixing it. The vandals got to it, they’ve largely been caught and are being prosecuted. We can't let that happen to our country."

The Interior Department and the U.S. Park Police, though a spokesperson earlier this week, confirmed there had been several arrests and federal citations for alleged vandalism. Trump said on Tuesday that six people had been arrested.

Trump also said earlier this week that the Reflecting Pool will be drained again for "permanent repair" around the Fourth of July.

Judge again directs DOJ to address whether 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' is dead

 Judge again directs DOJ to address whether 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' is dead

A federal judge is again directing the Justice Department to formally address whether the Trump administration's "Anti-Weaponization Fund" is dead, as the agency has claimed.

The order, filed Wednesday by District Judge Leonie Brinkema, comes after the Justice Department refused to issue a signed declaration verifying the $1.8 billion fund was not moving forward.

In her order, Brinkema said she is not satisfied with the DOJ's contention that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's recent testimony before Congress is proof enough that the fund is dead."That the defendants have refused to accord a genuine degree of trustworthiness to their representations about the Fund not going forward is particularly concerning because of the President's consistent support for the Fund and Acting Attorney General Blanche's acknowledgement that the Fund remains 'important,'" Brinkema wrote. 

She is demanding that the DOJ file papers issuing another response in the coming weeks and hinted in her order that Blanche may have to answer questions about his plans for the fund in a deposition. 

The $1.776 billion fund was announced in May by the Justice Department to compensate those who allege they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration.

It was proposed in exchange for President Donald Trump agreeing to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS as well as two civil claims for $230 million related to the Russia collusion investigation he faced during his first term in office and the 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago estate -- sparking accusations of self-dealing and a bipartisan uproar over the possible use of taxpayer money to pay rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Venezuela earthquakes live updates: US sending search and rescue teams, Rubio says

 Dozens of people were killed and hundreds of others were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised address.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Emergency responders were undertaking "intensive rescue operations" early on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, Rodriguez said.

Quakes may become most devastating in Venezuela's modern history

The two powerful earthquakes may become the most devastating in Venezuela's modern history.Venezuela sits along the Caribbean plate. It is not part of the infamous Ring of Fire that snakes around the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes -- especially of higher magnitude -- are relatively common.

An earthquake of this high a magnitude causes so much damage in a place like Venezuela because Venezuela’s infrastructure is not as prepared as countries along the Ring of Fire, like Japan.

US Southern Command to support government relief operation

The U.S. Southern Command said it is working with the State Department to support a U.S. government relief operation in Venezuela.

“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” a SOUTHCOM statement said.

 

Trump says Reflecting Pool repairs will begin 'immediately' after vandalism arrests

President Donald Trump said Sunday that work would begin "immediately" to repair the peeling lining at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as an administration official confirmed that at least five people have been arrested on vandalism charges related to the pool. 

"Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, claiming to have just inspected it himself.

Trump said that he "could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE," adding, "we will fix it."An administration official said on Sunday that as of Saturday night, five individuals had been arrested for vandalism, and five others had been issued citations.

The Reflecting Pool has been plagued with algae and peeling paint in the days since the Trump administration completed the renovation, which cost more than $16 million, and was $4 million more than the estimated cost. On Saturday, Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social that the painted surface of the Reflecting Pool had been sabotaged with chemicals. 

In a follow-up social media post, Trump said the Reflecting Pool would likely need to be partially drained to repair the peeling lining, which he once again claimed, without evidence, was damaged by intentional sabotage.

"We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible," Trump said of the pool's condition. 

Atlantic Industry Coatings, which completed the $14.5 million job to install the lining, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the Reflecting Pool would need to be drained to complete repairs and work would be covered under the project warranty. In his post, Trump referenced the giant "86 47" marked in grass on the National Mall and claimed that "corrosive and destructive chemicals" were poured into the pool by vandals, causing the lining to peel.

The president also alleged that someone "took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete."

It was not clear if he was referring to the lining of the Reflecting Pool, or to damage to another monument. What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly," Trump said. 

The U.S. Park Police did not immediately respond to ABC News to questions about any of the arrests referenced by Trump in his post.

Father, son missing off Oahu coast, search underway

 The United States Coast Guard and local officials are conducting a search for a 49-year-old man and his 16-year-old son who went missing Tuesday morning after leaving for a hike on the eastern coast of Oahu, a Coast Guard press release said.

Family members said the pair left their hotel at around 7 a.m. Tuesday to hike the Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge Trail, according to officials. Passersby found a backpack containing the man's belongings near the trail at 8:45 a.m. and notified the Honolulu Police Department, the

Police, the Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Ocean Safety Department and the Coast Guard launched a joint search operation late Tuesday morning after confirmation that the father and son were missing, ABC News Honolulu affiliate KITV reported.

The names of the father and son have not been released.

The agencies searched along the trail and surrounding areas, and deployed fire department helicopters and rescue boat, safety department jet skis and Coast Guard resources, the fire department said.

In reversal, Senate votes to block war powers resolution, delivering Trump a win

 Hours after President Donald Trump blasted Sen. Bill Cassidy for supporting a war powers resolution that narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday, Cassidy helped to deliver Trump a victory by voting with the majority of Republicans late Wednesday to block a separate resolution aimed at reining in the president's war powers in Iran from advancing.

It was a remarkable departure for Cassidy who, just hours ago, was in a shouting match with the president during a lunch between Trump and the GOP conference.

Cassidy said he later received a briefing from Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Iran.

2 powerful back-to-back earthquakes rock Venezuela, damage and injuries reported

 Two powerful earthquakes -- a 7.2 magnitude quake followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- rocked the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, knocking down buildings in the capital and sending residents racing into the street.

In an address the nation Wednesday night, Venezeula's acting President Delcy Rodriguez said there was severe damage in the capital Caracas and other areas in the aftermath of the quakes.

She said Metro and rail services are suspended in the city and the Maiquetía International Airport, which was earlier reported to have sustained damage, is closed.

Photos and videos from Caracas showed some crumbled buildings, rescue crews searching through rubble and people being cared for on the street.

Crews responded to collapsed buildings in the areas of Alta Mira and Palos Grandes, according to authorities.

The U.S was preparing to send search-and-rescue teams, according to the State Department.

In a post on social media, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau said the U.S. was "mobilizing assistance" for Venezuela. 

Jeremy Lewin, the State Department's under secretary for foreign asssistance, said the department has "mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people."

He added: "Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster."

Another State Department official confirmed that all staff at the U.S. embassy in Caracas are accounted for. 

The first earthquake -- a magnitude 7.2 -- was what the U.S. Geological Survey calls a "foreshock," recorded near San Felipe, Venezuela. Just 39 seconds later, a more powerful 7.5 "mainshock" was recorded in Yumare, according to the USGS.Past red alerts have required a national or international response, according to the USGS.

Following the quake, a tsunami advisory was issued, with the potential for hazardous tsunami waves possible for coasts within 300 kilometers of the earthquake epicenter. However, the tsunami advisory later expired.

ABC News' Will Gretsky, Shannon Kingston and Aicha El Hammar Castano contributed to this report.

🚨🌎 STRONG EARTHQUAKE SHAKES VENEZUELA

🚨🌎 STRONG EARTHQUAKE SHAKES VENEZUELA

An intense earthquake, whose magnitude was estimated to be between 7.1 and 7.5 by different reports, was registered this Wednesday, June 24 and shook several areas of Venezuela, leaving damage to buildings, structural damages and moments of distress among the population.

The telluric movement was felt strongly in Caracas and other cities, where authorities activated emergency protocols while rescue and civil protection teams run tours to assess the situation.

The earthquake was also felt in Colombia. In addition, a tsunami warning was issued for some parts of the Caribbean, which was later cancelled. Videos circulate on social networks showing the strong movement of buildings and hundreds of people evacuating to safety.

Inspections continue and authorities continue to call on the public to remain vigilant for possible aftermath.

🙏 All our solidarity and support for the Venezuelan people in these difficult times.

Passengers restrain pilot during apparent medical emergency on 'terrifying' flight

 

Passengers restrain pilot during apparent medical emergency on 'terrifying' flight

Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight helped restrain a pilot who experienced a medical emergency that they say appeared to be a seizure for about 40 minutes after the aircraft suddenly swerved midflight, according to a passenger who spoke exclusively with ABC News.

Air Canada said Flight AC7664, operated by regional partner PAL Airlines, was en route from Newark, New Jersey, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday when the captain experienced the medical emergency, the airline said.

The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely. The captain was taken to a hospital for medical treatment, according to the airline.

The De Havilland Q400 was carrying 61 passengers. Air Canada said it is working to arrange alternate travel for those on board."Yeah, it was really horrifying. I was sitting in the front row, my family was from their back, just the way the seat arrangement worked out," he explained. "And I went back to sit with them and then realized that the pilot was out of control physically, not violently, like it was clear that he was not in control of his faculties and needed to be restrained."

He continued, "[We] worked to get him under control, it was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes of keeping him down and using as many seatbelts as we could to restrain his legs arms and chest."

McDonald said a registered nurse on board helped direct passengers and assist the pilot during the medical emergency, while he praised the flight attendants for remaining calm throughout the ordeal.

🚨BREAKING🚨 Sad news just confirmed the passing of….

 

On Monday, officials identified the deceased as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, both 31-year-old officers from California. The crew members were integral parts of the Electronic Attack Squadron 130, famously known as the ‘Zappers,’ based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The tragic incident occurred during a routine training flight, prompting a complex federal investigation into why the advanced electronic warfare jet went down.

Both women were celebrated as trailblazers within the military aviation community. Lt. Cmdr. Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, recently made history as a participant in the first all-female flyover during Super Bowl LVII, an event marking 50 years of women in naval flight. Lt. Wileman, a skilled Naval Aviator commissioned in 2018, was a decorated veteran whose honors included the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. Their careers were defined by excellence, mentorship, and the breaking of long-standing gender barriers in high-performance combat aviation.

Recovery Efforts and Investigation

The recovery effort has proven exceptionally difficult due to the crash site’s location. The wreckage was discovered at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet in steep, heavily wooded terrain that is difficult to access. Following the transition from search-and-rescue to recovery operations, Washington Governor Jay Inslee authorized National Guard support to provide security for the site. Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer, emphasized that the current priority is supporting the families of the fallen while investigators work to determine the technical or environmental causes behind the loss of the $67 million aircraft.

Tributes have poured in from high-ranking officials, including U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who described the aviators as pioneering leaders who paved the way for future generations. As the EA-18G Growler community processes this profound loss, the legacy of Evans and Wileman remains anchored in their courage and historic contributions to national defense. Their sacrifice underscores the inherent risks of military training and the enduring impact of those who strive to expand the presence of women in the cockpit.