By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-14 16:44:49 | Updated at 2026-08-14 17:49:48
1 hour ago
Melissa L Farris, the suspect who allegedly vandalized the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, sparking Donald Trump's fury, was arrested.
Photos show hot red paint splattered over the memorial with the words 'Clean hands, dirty money.'
The vandal also threw in soap that bubbled up around the fountain.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia ex-Fox News host Jeanine Pirro called it a 'despicable attack.'
'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,' Pirro said today.
The DOJ and the US attorneys office are formally charging Farris with two felonies, accusing her of the vandalism that took place Thursday.
Pirro says she could serve up to 10 years in prison.
Trump said there was 'no greater insult to American heroes' who died in the war.
'First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from???' he wrote on Truth Social.
Melissa L. Farris, the suspect who vandalized the World War II Memorial in Washington was formally accused of the crime , and taken into custody
Spray painting 'animals' who ruined beloved WWII Memorial arrested after Trump lashes out
Photos show hot red paint splattered over the memorial with the words 'Clean hands, dirty money.' The vandal also threw in soap that bubbled up into the fountain
Trump has claimed an 'acid like material' was used on the grass near the pool and referenced how the phrase '86 47' appeared on the lawn, as seen in a photograph that Trump shared on Truth Social on August 1
This incident is just the latest DC landmark to face sabotage this year.
The saga of the Lincoln Monument Memorial Reflecting Pool has been ongoing as Trump continues to seek the prosecution of a former Olympian accused of ripping the pool's coating.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been a thorn in the president's side ever since he took personal oversight of the renovation, which included adding an 'American flag blue' liner.
It was one of several 'beautification' projects around the capital that Trump had ordered ahead of the July 4 celebration.
But problems soon arose, with the coating peeling off and algae turning the pool's water a mucky green.
Pirro brought, and subsequently dismissed, criminal charges against three-time Olympian David Hearn, 67, accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.
Now, Democrats are probing whether DOJ knowingly proceeded with a 'bogus' indictment against the Olympian - and whether Trump pressured Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to 'retaliate' against the individual.
The House Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, Jamie Raskin, is demanding communications related to the damaged Reflecting Pool lining.
This incident is just the latest DC landmark to face sabotage this year
Suds visible at the pool of the World War II Memorial, after it was reportedly vandalized with soap and graffiti
The effort comes after Pirro moved to dismiss felony vandalism charges against Hearn late last month, angering Trump.
Prosecutors cited the lack of evidence against Hearn, as well as 'newly released documents' from the Interior Department that they said shed light on the true nature of the damage.
The filing acknowledged that the damage to the Reflecting Pool's lining was, in fact, the result of a 'hasty' and 'botched' installation aimed at completing a project by the Trump administration's July 4 deadline, rather than the work of intentional vandalism.
In June, US Park Police also launched an investigation after the numbers '8647' were burned into the grass near the Washington Monument.
