US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the arrest of a woman accused of desecrating a monument to the heroes of World War II in the center of the American capital. A memorial fountain in Washington was vandalized on Thursday, with soap bubbles thrown into it and graffiti with an incomprehensible inscription left nearby.
As the Associated Press (AP) previously reported, on the masonry of the fountain, which was filled with soap suds on one side, they found the inscription “clean hands dirty $” written in red paint. The last word in it was replaced with a US dollar sign. The US Federal Park Police called the incident “disgusting.”
Vandals deface World War II memorial fountain with bubble soap, red graffiti in 'deranged' attack on DC landmark https://t.co/baIm1ru9Wo pic.twitter.com/bL2JadqEic
— New York Post (@nypost) August 13, 2026
It is unclear what motive motivated the alleged attacker Melissa Ferris. As Pirro reported on the social network X (formerly Twitter), the woman will face criminal charges of damaging US government property and destroying monuments to veterans. For each of these counts, she could face up to 10 years in prison.
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.
This morning, we are filing two felony charges, Depredation Against Property of the… pic.twitter.com/7EQxGWtdue
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) August 14, 2026
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial, a nonprofit that supports efforts to preserve the monument, previously stressed that such places should not become a forum for political debate.
“There are many places for expression, debate and dissent in our country. The national memorial in honor of those who served and did not return home should not become a canvas for vandalism,” the activists emphasized.
US President Donald Trump linked the incident to the scandal surrounding the Mirror Pond, which is located near the memorial.
“First Mirror Pond – now this. We'll figure them out. Where do such animals come from? – Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.
The Republican previously ordered repairs to Mirror Pond, which did not go according to plan. Federal authorities in July arrested a man on suspicion of vandalism due to floating paint chips, but later dropped charges against him. Trump was unhappy with Pirro's decision, which concluded that the contractors were at fault.
The World War II Memorial adjoins Mirror Pond to the east and was dedicated in 2004. The complex consists of 56 granite columns symbolizing American states and territories, two small triumphal arches and a fountain.
