WASHINGTON — Vandalizing DC landmarks has become the focus of renewed scrutiny after a woman was charged with allegedly defacing the World War II Memorial by pouring bubble soap into its fountain and spray-painting a cryptic message in red on the memorial’s stone structure.

D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Friday that Melissa L. Farris faces two felony counts: depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison upon conviction, according to prosecutors. Farris is in federal custody.

The World War II Memorial is one of the National Mall’s most prominent sites, honoring the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, the millions who supported the war effort at home and more than 400,000 Americans who died during the conflict.

Memorial Fountain Filled With Bubbles

Authorities said the vandalism occurred Thursday, Aug. 13, when the memorial fountain was filled with bubble soap. Photographs showed large amounts of frothy bubbles accumulating in the water.

The words “Clean Hands Dirty $” were also spray-painted in red on the memorial.

The message’s meaning was not immediately clear, and authorities have not publicly announced a motive. The incident prompted the area to be cordoned off with crime scene tape as police investigated.

Pirro strongly condemned the alleged vandalism, describing the World War II Memorial as a sacred monument honoring Americans who fought and died for the country.

The Interior Department also denounced the incident and said U.S. Park Police would work to identify those responsible.

The National Park Service describes the memorial as a place dedicated to service, sacrifice, unity and victory. Its design incorporates stone architecture, bronze sculptures, fountains and inscriptions to commemorate the American military and civilian contributions during World War II.

Vandalizing DC National Mall Sites Targeted

The World War II Memorial incident follows other recent controversies involving alleged damage or vandalism at major Washington landmarks.

One of the most closely watched cases involved the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, 67, was charged after authorities accused him of pulling at a section of recently installed material on the bottom of the pool.

Hearn pleaded not guilty and said he had merely reached into the pool after noticing that part of the material appeared to be loose. The Reflecting Pool is one of Washington’s most recognizable landmarks and forms a major visual connection between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

Vandalizing DC and Renovation Work Can Both Cause Problems

The case later became more complicated when prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges after evidence indicated that the pool’s damage was connected to problems with the renovation work rather than Hearn's actions. Reuters reported that the Trump administration subsequently urged the Justice Department to consider whether new charges should be pursued.

The Reflecting Pool renovation also became a subject of controversy after portions of its new surface experienced problems.

Vandals Threaten President Trump

Another incident involved markings spelling “86 47” that appeared in the grass near the Washington Monument in June. U.S. Park Police said they responded to a report of vandalism and collected grass samples because the cause of the discoloration had not initially been determined.

The phrase “86 47” has been used by some protesters as shorthand for removing President Donald Trump from office. Authorities investigated the markings, but no charges had been announced in connection with that incident in the material available for this report.

Investigation Continues

The latest World War II Memorial case differs from the Reflecting Pool controversy because prosecutors have already identified and charged a suspect.

Federal prosecutors allege that Farris damaged property belonging to the United States and targeted a memorial dedicated to veterans. The charges remain allegations, and Farris is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The incident has renewed attention on the security and preservation of monuments across the National Mall.

Vandalizing DC in Multiple Locations

The area contains numerous memorials and historic landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial.

The Washington Monument itself stands 555 feet tall and is among the most recognizable landmarks in the capital.

Officials have repeatedly emphasized that the monuments are public places intended to preserve and commemorate significant chapters of American history.

Damage to those sites can require specialized cleanup and restoration and, depending on the circumstances, can result in criminal charges.

As investigators continue examining the World War II Memorial incident, the case adds another chapter to a series of disputes and investigations involving vandalism, alleged property damage and political demonstrations at some of Washington’s most visible landmarks.

Related Resources

• National Park Service — World War II Memorial
• National Park Service — Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
• National Park Service — Washington Monument
• National Park Service — National Mall
• National Park Service — World War II Memorial Visitor Information