A woman identified as Melissa L. Farris has been arrested and formally charged with two felonies for allegedly vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., an act that drew strong condemnation from former President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Photos from the scene depict hot red paint splattered across the memorial with the message "Clean hands, dirty money." The suspect also allegedly placed soap in the memorial's fountain, causing it to bubble. Farris could face up to ten years in prison if convicted.
“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,” said Pirro, who is the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Trump echoed the sentiment, stating on Truth Social that there was “no greater insult to American heroes” who died in the war.
This incident marks the latest in a series of acts of vandalism at prominent D.C. landmarks this year.
Reflecting Pool Incident
The vandalism of the World War II Memorial follows a separate incident involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Earlier this month, the phrase "8647" was discovered burned into the grass near the Washington Monument, and an "acid-like material" was reportedly used on the grass near the reflecting pool, according to Trump.
Pirro had previously brought and then dismissed felony vandalism charges against three-time Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool's coating. Prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and newly released documents from the Interior Department, which suggested the damage was the result of a "hasty" and "botched" installation rather than intentional vandalism. The haste was reportedly to meet a July 4 deadline set by the Trump administration for beautification projects around the capital.
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, including top Democrat Jamie Raskin, are reportedly probing whether the Department of Justice knowingly proceeded with a "bogus" indictment against Hearn and whether Trump pressured Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to retaliate against the Olympian. Raskin is seeking communications related to the damaged Reflecting Pool lining.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool itself had been the subject of renovations, including the addition of an "American flag blue" liner, which Trump had personally overseen. However, the project encountered issues, including peeling coating and algae growth, turning the water a murky green.