Melissa Farris has been formally indicted on charges related to the vandalism of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The charges include destruction of a veterans’ memorial and government property. Prosecutors say cleanup and restoration costs surpassed $1,000.
Farris allegedly spray-painted ‘Clean hands, dirty money’ and poured bubble soap into the memorial fountain. Before her arrest, she conducted a Facebook live where she confessed to the act, expressing a desire to be heard.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro condemned the vandalism as an attack on a monument honoring those who sacrificed in World War II. She mentioned her personal connection, as her father and grandfather were among those honored.
President Donald Trump voiced his outrage on Truth Social, referring to the act as an immense insult to American heroes. He compared it to previous vandalism incidents, including one involving Olympic canoeist David Hearn at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. However, charges in that case were dropped due to potential evidence of a renovation issue.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated his support for Pirro’s decision to drop the charges related to the Reflecting Pool incident, noting agreement with President Trump’s stance.
Fox News’ Robert McGreevy, Bonny Chu, Ashley J. DiMella, and Brie Stimson contributed to this report.