The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was vandalized Thursday with pink spray paint and soap bubbles filling its fountain, according to the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service. The incident prompted the closure of the memorial and an ongoing investigation.
Interior Department officials condemned the act as an "utter disgrace" and stated that U.S. Park Police are actively pursuing the responsible party. The memorial, which honors the 16 million Americans who served in World War II and the 400,000 who died, has been a focal point for veterans' remembrance events.
Immediate Response and Official Statements
The National Park Service confirmed the vandalism shortly after it was reported, noting that the memorial was closed to the public and media as authorities assessed the damage. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior told reporters that the bubbles were not part of a cleaning process, as some online users had speculated, but resulted from soap or detergent poured into the fountain.
U.S. Park Police blocked off the area and are leading the investigation. The Interior Department released a statement calling the act "disgusting" and vowing to hold the perpetrator accountable. The statement emphasized the memorial's significance, stating: "The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated."
Details of the Vandalism
Photos and videos shared on social media showed bright pink spray paint on the stonework of the memorial, including the phrase "Clean hands, dirty money" in visible letters. The fountain was overflowing with white bubbles, some of which were seen floating in the air. The Freedom Wall, which features 4,048 gold stars representing American lives lost in the war, was also reportedly affected.
An Army veteran who visited the memorial after the incident told Fox News Digital she was "offended" by the vandalism. "It just makes me absolutely irate," said Debra Mortensen. "I was offended because people fought and died for our country, and it’s dishonoring our country and all we’ve been through."
Historical Context and Recent Renovations
The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 and underwent a $4 million renovation earlier this year, which included upgrades to the fountains and lighting. The memorial reopened in May 2024 after the renovations. In 2016, the site was vandalized with graffiti protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, with the phrase "#NoDAPL" spray-painted on the North Dakota section.
The memorial occupies a prominent position on the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and serves as a site for major veterans' remembrance ceremonies, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Its design includes 56 granite pillars representing U.S. states and territories during the war, as well as two triumphal arches symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Thursday evening, no suspect had been identified, and authorities had not released additional details about the investigation. The National Park Service and U.S. Park Police have not provided further updates beyond confirming the closure and the nature of the vandalism.