- Melissa Farris faces two federal felony charges after vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., by pouring soap into its fountain and spray-painting graffiti.
- On August 13, Farris poured soap into the memorial's fountain, creating a large amount of foam, and spray-painted the words 'Clean Hands Dirty $' on the memorial.
- A witness photographed Farris spray-painting the memorial, and the image was circulated among U.S. Park Police officers, leading to her identification.
- Farris posted videos on Facebook showing herself spray-painting and questioning why she hadn't been arrested.
- On Friday, Farris was arrested and charged with two felonies, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
- President Trump condemned the vandalism, linking it to previous incidents at the Reflecting Pool.
- Farris allegedly planned the August 13 action to highlight concerns about U.S. tax money spending.
- Farris described herself as a whistleblower and indicated that she wanted to be arrested to bring attention to grievances she claimed had not been addressed by the government.
- Federal authorities estimated the damage and cleanup costs exceeded $1,000.
Melissa L. Farris, 41, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was charged with depredation against property of the United States and destruction of veterans’ memorials after vandalizing the National World War II Memorial on August 13. The charges stem from pouring soap into the memorial's fountain and spray-painting the words “Clean Hands Dirty $” on its surface.123
U.S. Park Police responded to a witness report of a woman spray-painting the Atlantic Theatre Pavilion. Federal authorities estimated the damage and cleanup costs exceeded $1,000. Farris, who had previously been arrested for camping illegally near the memorial, posted videos on social media showing her actions and expressed a desire to be arrested to highlight grievances against the government.410
“Someone has to make choices that are different and I am accountable for my actions,” Farris stated, indicating her intent to bring attention to issues regarding U.S. tax money and alleged corporate misconduct. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro condemned the act as an attack on a memorial honoring the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, including over 400,000 who died.
“Farris, who also used the name Melissa Lovewell, was recognized by a Park Police officer from an earlier arrest for illegal camping near the memorial. President Trump condemned the act, linking it to the Reflecting Pool incident and criticizing US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping prior charges.”
