Vandalism Leads to Charges at WWII Memorial in D.C.
Melissa Farris, accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., has been indicted. According to Fox News Digital, she faces two charges: destruction of a veterans’ memorial and destruction of government property.
Authorities allege Farris spray-painted “Clean hands, dirty money” in bright pink and poured bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain. Cleanup costs exceed $1,000, say federal prosecutors.
Vandalism at the World War II Memorial on August 13. (Andrew Leyden/ZUMA Press Wire)
Farris reportedly admitted her actions on a Facebook live before turning herself in on August 14. “It’s me. I am going to turn myself in,” she said. “I’m outside district federal court. I am just trying to do the right thing. … I was trying to get people to listen.” She described living in difficult conditions, including residing in a camper with cardboard insulation for warmth.
After her indictment, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, emphasized the seriousness of the offense. “Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom,” she said. Pirro highlighted personal connections to WWII veterans and noted potential prison sentences of up to ten years.
President Donald Trump condemned the vandalism on Truth Social, expressing outrage over the disrespect to WWII veterans. He commented on the pursuit to find those responsible, questioning their origins.
In a related event, charges against several individuals, including Olympic canoeist David Hearn, for alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were dropped. Authorities cited possible renovation issues as the cause of damage, rather than vandalism.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche voiced support for dropping charges, aligning with President Trump’s stance on the matter, as discussed on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” However, Trump later disagreed with Pirro’s decision to dismiss the charges.