- Brown, patchy grass near the World War II Memorial — where Trump had a July 4 stage — prompted him to post on Truth Social blaming "vandals" for the damage.
- Turf experts and photos point to heavy foot traffic, stage removal and an extreme-heat record that day as more likely causes than deliberate vandalism.
- A separate vandalism case — graffiti reading "Clean hands dirty $" and bubbles in the memorial fountain — led to an arrest; the suspect was released on her own recognizance with conditions.
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