Archive · 14 Aug 2026
World War II Memorial in Washington Vandalized with Bubbles, Graffiti
Someone poured bubble soap into the big fountain at the World War Two Memorial in Washington, D.C., making it overflow with suds.
They also painted the words 'Clean hands Dirty $' on the memorial and splattered red and green paint around it.
The World War Two Memorial is a special place that remembers the Americans who fought in a very big war long ago.
It has 56 granite pillars and honors the 400,000 Americans who died and the 16 million who served in the war.
The people who take care of the memorial are very upset and called what happened 'an utter disgrace.'
Police officers and National Guard troops arrived and closed off the area with yellow tape while they investigated.
A detective examined the graffiti and used a tape measure to check the damage.
Workers later came to clean up the graffiti.
The police are looking for the person who did it and say they will find them.
The group that protects the memorial said it is a 'sacred place of remembrance' that should never be used for vandalism.
The World War Two Memorial in Washington was vandalized on Thursday, August 13, with soap suds bubbling over in its fountain.
Graffiti reading 'Clean hands Dirty $' was painted on a surface, with red and green paint splattered across the area.
The Interior Department called the vandalism 'an utter disgrace' and said U.S. Park Police are investigating and will find the person responsible.
The Friends of the National WWII Memorial called the act 'unacceptable,' describing the memorial as 'a sacred place of remembrance.'
Police officers and National Guard troops cordoned off the memorial with crime scene tape, and workers later arrived to clean up the graffiti.
- Who
- An unidentified vandal or vandals; responding authorities include the Interior Department, U.S. Park Police, National Guard troops, and the Friends of the National WWII Memorial.
- What
- The World War Two Memorial was vandalized, with soap suds bubbling in its fountain and graffiti reading 'Clean hands Dirty $' painted on a surface, with red and green paint splattered around.
- When
- Thursday, August 13.
- Where
- The World War Two Memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
- Why
- The motive is not stated and authorities are investigating; the incident comes as President Donald Trump has launched a campaign to alter memorials around Washington.
- Location
- World War II Memorial, National Mall, Washington
- Incident
- Soap suds bubbling in the fountain; graffiti 'Clean hands Dirty $' with red and green paint splattered
- Date
- Thursday, August 13
- Memorial dedication year
- 2004
- Granite pillars
- 56
- Americans who died in WWII
- More than 400,000
- Americans who served in WWII
- 16 million
- Response
- Interior Department vowed to find the perpetrator; U.S. Park Police investigation ongoing; memorial cordoned off; cleanup underway
