Trump admin investigating graffiti and soap bubbles at World War II Memorial

By Kit Maher, CNN

(CNN) — The Interior Department is investigating vandalism at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, after neon graffiti was painted on the Atlantic Pavilion and the usually clear fountains overflowed with soapy bubbles.

On the inner side of the fountain, graffiti written in neon orange states: “Clean hands Dirty $,” according to a photo first posted by freelance photographer Andrew Leyden and later captured by CNN. Pink and green graffiti also litters the pavilion in the photo. The large whips of foam in the water appeared to be a result of someone pouring soap into the fountain.

The area was later completely blocked off by law enforcement, which swarmed the area Thursday afternoon.

In a statement to CNN, the Interior Department called the vandalism “an utter disgrace,” adding that US Park Police is on the scene.

“The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII. The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated. Our U.S. 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 department said.

It’s the latest trouble for Washington’s National Mall. Renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool pushed by President Donald Trump resulted in peeling paint and a huge algae bloom earlier in the summer, and the pool remains drained for repairs. And the numbers “86 47” — a phrase generally used to signal opposition to Trump — appeared etched into the grass near the Washington Monument in June.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) said in a statement that it expects “accountability for this disgraceful act and a swift response to restore the memorial.” It called both the soap bubbles and the graffiti acts of “profound disrespect.”

“We eagerly await the National Park Service’s plan for repairing the damage and ensuring the National World War II Memorial remains a fitting and enduring tribute to America’s Greatest Generation,” the veterans organization said.

Scott Wimpfheimer, whose family was visiting DC on Thursday from Minnesota and Alabama, told CNN affiliate WJLA that it angered him to see the monument vandalized, and he hopes the culprit is held accountable. He said he has a son and daughter who both served in Iraq.

“It is a World War II monument. It’s to all the people who died and fought and sacrificed for our country,” he said, adding, “Our kids and our parents put our lives on the line for our country. I just don’t understand.”

“I hope they catch him and keep him in jail for a long, long time,” he said. “It has to stop, and maybe hitting them in their pocketbook or locking them up might do it.”

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Julia Benbrook contributed to this report.