Editor’s Note (Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, 10:50 a.m. ET): A woman suspected in the crime is in custody and could face up to 10 years in prison, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said. Go here for updates.
The World War II Memorial was found vandalized Thursday, and a fountain overflowed with bubbles.
U.S. Park Police blocked off the memorial on the National Mall.
“Clean hands, dirty money,” letters in bright spray paint said.
Before police cordoned off the area, people played with clouds of bubbles filling a fountain. Police have not commented on the bubbles in the fountain.
The Department of the Interior called the vandalism an “utter disgrace.”
“The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII,” they said in a statement. “The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated. Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act.”
“There are many places in our country for expression, debate, and disagreement,” said a nonprofit that preserves the memorial. “A national memorial honoring those who served and those who never returned home should never be used as a canvas for vandalism.”
No information was immediately released on a potential suspect.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the vandalism in a Truth Social post Friday morning and referenced the Reflecting Pool.
“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???” the post said.
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