World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. vandalized with pink spray paint

The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. was vandalized on Thursday, with pink spray paint found on the site and a fountain overflowing with bubbles. U.S. Park Police responded to the scene and cordoned off the area. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior condemned the vandalism, stating, "The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated." The spokesperson added that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are committed to identifying the individual responsible for the act. The memorial honors the armed forces and the over 400,000 Americans who died during World War II. An Army veteran expressed her offense at the vandalism, stating it dishonors those who fought for the country. This incident follows previous vandalism at the memorial, including an event in 2016 related to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The memorial had recently undergone a $4 million renovation and reopened in May. Other monuments on the National Mall have also been targeted in recent months, including the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.