World War II Memorial vandalized with pink paint as fountain overflows with bubbles
WASHINGTON, DC: The World War II Memorial on the National Mall was vandalized on Thursday, August 13, with bright pink spray paint found at the site and one of its fountains overflowing with bubbles.
US Park Police arrived at the memorial and blocked off the area as an investigation got underway.
The vandalism comes as several prominent monuments in the nation's capital have been targeted in recent months. The Department of the Interior said authorities are investigating the incident and vowed to find whoever was responsible.
🚨 BREAKING: The WWII Memorial in DC is now a CRIME SCENE, LOCKED DOWN by National Guard after vandals spray painted and poured chemicals into the water
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 14, 2026
ALL because the left is upset about President Trump beautifying our capital
These people HATE OUR COUNTRY.
Make an EXAMPLE… pic.twitter.com/BUrqvAt8oN
World War II Memorial on National Mall vandalized with pink spray paint
The words “Clean Hands Dirty $” were written in bright pink spray paint at the World War II Memorial.
A Department of the Interior spokesperson strongly condemned the incident, saying, “The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated.”
“Our US Park Police are on the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act,” the spokesperson added.
Vandals have graffitied the World War II Memorial besides just adding bubble soap. “Clean Hands Dirty $” painted on the side. pic.twitter.com/eFsbt6yoVO
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) August 13, 2026
The agency also pointed to the significance of the memorial, which honors the armed forces and the more than 400,000 Americans who died fighting in World War II.
The vandalism was accompanied by another unusual discovery.
A fountain at the memorial was found overflowing with bubbles, adding to the strange scene that greeted visitors and authorities.
Someone has just poured bubble soap into the World War II Memorial Fountains on the National Mall. pic.twitter.com/3UDCxHCdmC
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) August 13, 2026
An Army veteran who visited the memorial said she had been looking forward to seeing it but was upset by what she found.
“It just makes me absolutely irate,” Debra Mortensen said. “I was offended because people fought and died for our country, and it's dishonoring our country and all we've been through.”
World War II Memorial had been targeted before
This is not the first time the World War II Memorial has been vandalized.
In 2016, a vandal protesting the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline spray-painted the North Dakota section of the memorial with the phrase “#NoDAPL.”
The latest incident comes only months after the memorial underwent a major renovation.
It was closed for several months earlier this year as part of a $4 million project that upgraded its fountains and lighting.
The memorial reopened in May.
Recent incidents of vandalism targeting DC monuments
The World War II Memorial is also not the only major landmark in Washington, DC, to face damage or political markings recently.
In June, separate red markings reading “8647” were found on the Washington Monument.
The number has been used as a political slogan and protest symbol against President Donald Trump.
Damage was also reported at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
