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Woman charged over vandalism of World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- Melissa Farris, 41, was arrested and charged with two felonies—depredation of US property and destruction of veterans’ memorials—following vandalism at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, involving soap and graffiti.
- The charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison; US Attorney Jeanine Pirro condemned the act as a "despicable attack" on a sacred monument honoring American veterans.
- The arrest occurs amid recent tensions between Pirro and President Donald Trump, after Pirro dropped vandalism charges related to damage at the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a decision that angered Trump.
- Trump publicly criticized Pirro for dismissing the Reflecting Pool charges, accusing her of folding under pressure and connecting that dispute to the new vandalism incident at the World War II Memorial.
- The Interior Department and US Park Police are investigating the World War II Memorial vandalism and have pledged to identify and hold accountable those responsible.
