Woman accused of defacing World War II Memorial in Washington
Aug 14, 2026
A woman has been charged after the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was vandalized Thursday, with bubbles filling a fountain and Clean hands dirty $" written in red paint.U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirr
o said Melissa L. Farris has been charged with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans' memorials."Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather," Pirro said Friday.The Interior Department released a statement late Thursday saying: Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act.RELATED STORY | US taxpayers set to provide millions for Trumps 'beautification' efforts in DCThe Friends of the National World War II Memorial, a nonprofit organization that helps maintain the site, said: There are many places in our country for expression, debate, and disagreement. A national memorial honoring those who served and those who never returned home should never be used as a canvas for vandalism.The Veterans of Foreign Wars called the vandalism an act of profound disrespect, a slap in the face to the veterans who served and sacrificed and to the families who carried that burden at home.RELATED STORY | Trump administration condemns '86 47' markings on National MallThe World War II Memorial is just east of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the Mall. After a botched repair job earlier this year left the pool with peeling blue sealant and green algae, President Donald Trump blamed the issues on vandalism without providing evidence.
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