WASHINGTON — The World War II Memorial on the National Mall was vandalized overnight with red graffiti and soap poured into its fountain, prompting a federal investigation and the arrest of a woman on felony charges, authorities said Friday.
The U.S. Park Police were investigating after the phrase “Clean hands dirty $” was painted in red on the memorial and detergent created bubbles in the fountain, according to the Interior Department and law enforcement officials. The damage was discovered Thursday.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Friday that Melissa L. Farris was in federal custody and faced two felony charges: depredation against U.S. property and destruction of veterans’ memorials. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison upon conviction.
Pirro said the vandalism was an attack on a monument honoring Americans who fought and died during World War II. President Donald Trump also condemned the incident in a social media post, calling it a major insult to the Americans honored at the memorial.
The Interior Department said the Park Police responded to the memorial after the vandalism and that investigators were working to identify those responsible. The department said authorities would pursue the person responsible.
The nonprofit Friends of the National World War II Memorial also condemned the vandalism, saying the memorial should not be used as a place for political expression or protest. The Veterans of Foreign Wars described the incident as disrespectful to veterans and their families.
The memorial, located east of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II, according to the National Park Service. It opened in 2004 and is administered by the National Mall and Memorial Parks.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of vandalism claims involving landmarks around the National Mall. Earlier this year, authorities investigated damage and other alleged vandalism involving the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A separate federal prosecution over that damage was later dismissed after prosecutors said evidence contradicted the allegation that vandals were responsible.
The World War II Memorial investigation remains ongoing, while Farris remains in federal custody as the charges proceed.
