President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that several individuals, including an Olympic canoeist, were arrested for alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. The incident comes amid a $14 million renovation project that has experienced multiple setbacks.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump claimed without evidence that vandals damaged the pool. He suggested the alleged crimes could result in lengthy jail sentences. Trump stated, ‘These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments.’
The Reflecting Pool, located at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, stretches 2,030 feet. It recently underwent sealing with a new ‘American flag blue’ coat. However, the sealant is peeling off, and an algae bloom has developed as the pool was refilled.
Trump met with contractors on Saturday, indicating that significant work might be required to fix the pool’s floor. He blamed vandals for causing ‘a 250-foot-long gash’ and for pouring destructive chemicals into the pool.
What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly.
A tear in the new sealant was noticed at the base of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Efforts to clean algae have not resolved the issue and continue to attract visitors’ attention.
David “Davey” Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, was among the observers. He was detained for five hours after he touched a detached piece of the sealant. Despite his arrest, Hearn insisted he didn’t cause any damage. ‘The condition of the reflecting pool was the same after I stepped away,’ he noted.
Hearn said the arresting national guardsman did not specify which federal law he allegedly broke. ‘All of a sudden they were handcuffing me behind my back,’ Hearn commented. The National Guard and U.S. Park Police have not yet provided information.
This renovation is part of a beautification project linked to the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Despite these efforts, the pool remains troubled by peeling and algae blooms. Trump criticized previous administrations for the pool’s prior state, suggesting improvements would enhance its appearance.
As of Friday, workers were again attempting to remove algae from the pool’s water.
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