The Interior Department has opened an investigation into what it calls a "disgraceful" act of vandalism at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., after park police discovered neon-colored graffiti and thick layers of soap bubbles in the memorial's fountain.
According to a department spokesperson, U.S. Park Police responded to the scene and are now leading the probe. The vandals left sprawling orange, pink, and green markings across the memorial's Atlantic Pavilion and filled the fountain with foam. The phrase "Clean hands Dirty $" was scrawled in orange along the fountain's interior.
In a sharply worded statement, an Interior Department spokesperson said: "The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act."
The memorial, situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II, including more than 400,000 who gave their lives. No arrests have been announced, and officials have not indicated whether they believe the graffiti carried a specific political message.
This incident comes amid a string of vandalism cases at national landmarks in the capital. Earlier this summer, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was shut down for repairs after a costly renovation hit snags, including peeling paint and algae growth. The Trump administration blamed vandals for that damage, leading to several arrests, including that of former Olympic rower David Hearn. The Justice Department later dropped the felony vandalism charge against Hearn, a decision that drew sharp criticism from President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
In June, authorities also discovered the numbers "86 47" carved into the grass near the Washington Monument. The phrase "86" is a restaurant slang term meaning to cancel or remove something, and "47" refers to Trump as the 47th president. Federal officials have interpreted the carving as a potential threat against Trump.
The latest vandalism at the WWII Memorial raises fresh concerns about security and respect for the nation's war memorials. The Interior Department has not yet announced any suspects or a motive, but the investigation remains active. Park Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The incident also highlights ongoing tensions over the treatment of federal monuments, with the administration vowing to take a hard line against those who damage public property. As the investigation continues, the memorial remains open to visitors, though the cleanup of the graffiti and foam is expected to take time.
