On Thursday, someone decided to desecrate the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The actor defaced the monument with graffiti that read, "Clean hands dirty $," and filled the fountain with soap, creating bubbles.
The person was caught on camera, and by Friday, the alleged perpetrator of this disgusting act was arrested.
Authorities have taken into custody the suspect accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, where bubbles filled a fountain and "Clean hands dirty $" was written in red paint.
Melissa L. Farris is now in federal custody. According to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, Farris will be charged with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans' memorials. This not-very-bright woman faces up to 10 years in prison.
Farris wasn't expressing free speech; she was just being a terrible person. This disgrace to humanity deserves all the books thrown at her.
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.
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) August 14, 2026
This morning, we are filing two felony charges, Depredation Against Property of the… pic.twitter.com/7EQxGWtdue
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 United States and Destruction of Veterans' Memorials, in Federal District Court against Melissa L. Farris, offenses that carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. She is now in custody.
The incident was discovered weeks after President Donald Trump said the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was deliberately damaged. Trump had some choice words for this recent act of vandalism of federal property.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 14, 2026
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
President Trump's outrage is echoed by many.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial said national memorials should never be used as a canvas for vandalism, noting there are many places for expression and debate. The Veterans of Foreign Wars called the act "a slap in the face" to veterans and their families.
Exactly. All the places this woman could have expressed her First Amendment rights, and she chose the memorial for the Greatest Generation? Unconscionable.
As my colleague Ward Clark wrote:
The World War II Memorial isn't a political statement. It doesn't belong to a political party. If it belongs to anyone, it belongs to the veterans of the world's greatest war, the brave Americans who waded ashore at Normandy under constant fire. It belongs to the bomber crews who braved flak and German fighters. It belongs to the paratroopers who jumped into battle, knowing that no matter which way they looked, there would be enemy troops. It belongs to the Marines who fought a bitter and implacable foe all the way from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. It belongs to the Navy pilots who flew off of shifting carrier decks to take the fight to the enemy. It belongs to the surviving Americans, the last, dwindling few who served in World War II and are still alive to tell the tale.
This is not the first time the World War II Memorial has been defaced. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, anarchists spray-painted "Do Black Vets Count?" on the fountain. Nothing happened in that case. An example needs to be made in this one.
Let's hope this woman is not allowed to skirt the law.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member