A Kentucky woman, Melissa Farris, was formally indicted on charges related to vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. This development was reported by Fox News Digital.
Farris faces two charges: destruction of a veterans’ memorial and destruction of government property. Authorities allege she spray-painted bright pink words “Clean hands, dirty money” on the memorial and poured bubble soap into its fountain.
The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, condemned the act, describing it as a despicable attack on a monument honoring Americans who fought in World War II. Pirro revealed personal connections to the memorial, noting her father and grandfather were among those honored.
The cleanup and restoration costs were reported to exceed $1,000. Farris, before turning herself in, admitted to the vandalism in a Facebook live video on August 14.
In the video, Farris voiced her frustration and explained her intent to have her message heard by the media. She described her living conditions as challenging, mentioning she lived in a camper insulated with cardboard in winter.
Former President Donald Trump shared his outrage on Truth Social, calling the act an insult to American heroes who died in World War II.
This incident follows previous acts of vandalism at national monuments. In June, several individuals, including Olympic canoeist David Hearn, were arrested for alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors later dropped the charges, citing possible damage from renovation issues.
Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed support for Pirro’s decision to drop charges in the Lincoln Memorial case, a sentiment shared by President Trump. However, Trump publicly disagreed with Pirro’s decision.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is yet to comment on Farris’s indictment.
Fox News Digital contributors Robert McGreevy, Bonny Chu, and Ashley J. DiMella, along with Los Angeles-based writer Brie Stimson, aided in reporting this story.
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