"‘Deliberately Attacked Our Shared History’: National Archives Issues Impact Statement at Sentencing of Constitution Vandal"

The National Archives presented an impact statement on Tuesday during the sentencing of two activists convicted of vandalizing the U.S. Constitution.

Dr. Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States, issued a statement about the two climate activists responsible for defacing the protective case of the Constitution at the National Archives, an act that sparked widespread controversy and caused significant damage. Shogan confirmed that Jackson Green, who acknowledged his role in the crime, was sentenced in federal court to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.

In addition to the prison sentence, Green is also required to pay over $50,000 in restitution costs. Dr. Shogan delivered an impact statement that emphasized the gravity of the incident, reminding the court of the National Archives' core mission: preserving the nation's historical records to support democracy and encourage public engagement.

“As the nation’s custodian of records, our mission at the National Archives is to preserve, protect, and share the historical documents of the United States. We do this to strengthen our democracy and foster public inquiry. We take this responsibility very seriously, and work diligently to ensure all Americans can access the records we hold in trust,” Shogan stated.