U.S. attorney announces arrest of alleged WWII Memorial vandal
Recent vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., this week sparked national outrage. On Friday, one of the nation’s top prosecutors announced the arrest of a woman believed to be the culprit.
by Summer Lane | August 14, 2026
Following national outrage over a vandalism incident at the Washington, D.C., World War II Memorial, one of the nation’s top prosecutors announced on Friday that the alleged culprit behind the degrading act has been caught and charged.
“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,” U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, said in a statement.
Pirro said that Farris was in custody.
“Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom,” Pirro noted. “Those Americans include my father and grandfather.”
Earlier this week, online photos and video emerged of the alleged vandalism at the memorial, where law enforcement was seen blocking off the area. Shots of what appeared to be graffiti were visible in these online postings.
The troubling incident even sparked a response from President Donald Trump.
“Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals,” he said in a statement posted to social media.
He continued, “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???”
Upon hearing of the alleged vandal’s arrest, Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., a close Trump ally in Congress, remarked, “Force her to clean it up herself in front of veterans and have it broadcast around the country — and then lock her up.”
Amid President Trump’s impressive bid to clean up the streets of D.C., there have also been some issues with alleged vandalism on the newly renovated Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Photo: Pixabay
