US Representative Nancy Mace condemned the vandalism of the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, calling it “a special kind of evil” after red spray paint was used to deface the site.In a post on X on October 28, 2026, the Republican congresswoman said an individual had used the memorial to promote a political agenda. She described the site as “SACRED GROUND” and called the act “absolutely vile.” The post included an image showing red paint across panels engraved with victims’ names.The incident involved the North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, where nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks are commemorated. The vandalism prompted an investigation and an arrest, according to reports published by CBS New York and the New York Post in October 2026.Spray-paint incident at the New York 9/11 MemorialThe New York Post reported that 31-year-old Jonathan Tijerina was arrested after red spray paint was used to write “just stop killing kids” across sections of the 9/11 memorial. A witness reportedly saw someone spraying the words over panels bearing victims’ names before police arrived and arrested the suspect.According to the Post, the protest was connected to demands for stricter gun-control measures and promoted the website JustStopKillingKids.com. The outlet reported that Tijerina had recorded the act. His campaign called for measures including universal background checks and a national gun registry, and sought action from President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.CBS New York reported that the memorial’s operators said security staff and law enforcement responded promptly and the affected area was restored. The outlet reported that the paint had been cleaned and that there was no permanent damage.The New York Post reported an estimated cleaning cost of $560.64 and said Tijerina faced charges including criminal mischief and making graffiti. The outlet reported that he was released under supervision after his arraignment, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 13, 2027.Pennsylvania’s Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial also targeted days before New York incidentA separate vandalism investigation was reported in Pennsylvania in October 2026. CBS Philadelphia reported on October 7 that several glass panels at the Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial in Lower Makefield Township had been intentionally scratched. FOX 29 @FOX29phillyLINKPolice in Lower Makefield Township are searching for the person responsible for vandalizing part of the Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial.Investigators believed the damage occurred between September 11 and September 18, according to CBS Philadelphia. Police were investigating the incident and sought information from the public. Unlike the New York case, which involved spray paint across memorial panels, the Pennsylvania incident involved scratches to glass.Ellen Saracini, founder of the Garden of Reflection 9/11 memorial, told CBS Philadelphia that the damage was heartbreaking and disrespectful to the families of those who died. She explained that the memorial holds particular significance for relatives who never received their loved ones’ remains.The Garden of Reflection serves as a place of remembrance for victims of the September 11 attacks. The damage to its panels raised concerns about the treatment of a site dedicated to those who lost their lives. CBS Philadelphia’s report described an ongoing police investigation, but did not establish who was responsible for the damage or identify a motive.