A woman accused of scrawling graffiti and putting soap in the water at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall is in custody and facing charges.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro posted pictures on X of the accused suspect, Melissa Farris, holding what appears to be a can of spray paint and carrying a long blue tube containing a white substance.
Ms. Pirro said Ms. Farris is facing charges of depredation against property of the United States and defacing veterans’ memorials.
If found guilty, Ms. Farris could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on each count, Ms. Pirro said.
The vandalism at the monument was discovered Thursday, with a message “Clean hands dirty $” written in red paint and bubbles in the water, according to The Associated Press.
The defacing of the memorial drew immediate and sharp reactions.
President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals. THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from???”
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial, a nonprofit group that helps with upkeep at the site, said on social media, “We are deeply disturbed by the reported vandalism at the National World War II Memorial today. Whatever the intent, defacing a place dedicated to the service and sacrifice of the World War II generation is unacceptable.”
Locals and tourists were also angered by the vandalism.
“It makes me mad. It’s taxpayer money to clean up a mess of somebody trying to make a point, which he’s not doing. … I hope they catch them and put them away for a long, long time,” Scott Wimpfheimer, who came to the nation’s capital from Minnesota in part to see the memorial, told Washington’s WJLA-TV.
Ben Pauwels of Springfield, Virginia, told Washington’s WTOP-FM that the graffiti and bubbles were “a travesty,” adding that “It’s really sad. Over 400,000 Americans gave their lives during World War II, the Greatest Generation. It’s when a country united for a common cause, and it’s really sad to see.”
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