The Interior Department stated on August 13, 2026, that vandals were responsible for bubbles appearing in the fountain of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall. An Interior Department spokesperson confirmed that the bubbles were not part of a cleaning process, as some had speculated online. Photos showed mounds of bubbles in the fountain.
The department described the vandalism as unacceptable and stated that the U.S. Park Police are investigating the incident. They emphasized that they will identify the individual responsible for the act. Under federal law, the perpetrator could face felony charges, especially if the repairs exceed $1,000, which could lead to a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The World War II Memorial had recently undergone renovations, which included modernization of the fountains and installation of new lighting, costing over $3 million. The renovations were completed in May 2026, following a closure that began in January 2026. This project was part of an executive order aimed at improving the District of Columbia's monuments.