Donald Trump has announced further reworks on the Reflecting Pool, following reports of an algae bloom amid renovation efforts. The president has recently alleged that vandalism is responsible for the latest issues in the pool.
Donald Trump’s reflecting pool is getting drained
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Donald Trump announced that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be redrained. The president accused vandals of causing the recent algae blooms and peeling paint on the bottom.
“It’s not a lot of damage, but we’ll probably have to let the water out and refix it,” Trump said. “They went in there with a knife,” the POTUS added, rebuking the alleged vandals. According to law enforcement officials, they have arrested at least five individuals in connection with the allegations.
In a June 21 Truth Social post, Trump shared, “The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool.” The president suggested prison time for the vandalism, adding that “Work will begin immediately on its repair.”
A few hours later, Trump made another post announcing that authorities have arrested “many additional people” for the “disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool.” He promised immediate repairs to the monument, stating, “We are very proud of what we have done with this magnificent structure.”
In a June 22 post, Trump reiterated, “Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!”
Three-time Olympic cyclist David Hearn was also arrested on June 19 on charges of misdemeanor destruction of government property. The arrest followed his touching one of the “flapping pieces” in the Pool out of curiosity.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Hearn maintained, “I didn’t vandalize anything.” He explained, “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh for Mandatory.
