Trump Alleges Vandalism at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Washington — On Monday, President Trump asserted his intention to demonstrate in court allegations that acts of vandalism led to a major damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He claims this damage is responsible for paint peeling off the recently renovated, but algae-infested pool.

In a dialog with Ed O’Keefe, CBS News senior White House correspondent, Trump dismissed the notion that poor construction methods were to blame for ongoing issues following a $14.7 million renovation project. The president asserted vandals inflicted a 350-foot cut between the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Five individuals have been arrested, and five more have been issued federal citations for vandalism related to this site, according to U.S. Park Police. However, the project’s company and the U.S. Park Service have yet to attribute the peeling to any vandalism.

When asked to present evidence, such as photos or video, supporting claims of vandalism, Trump said, “Well, let’s put it this way, when you have a 350, I think it’s 350, not 250, when you have a 350-foot slit, from one end to the other, you think that’s proof? You think that’s proof?” Ed O’Keefe noted that reporters visited the site but found no signs of such damage.

“Well, you’d have to go see the Parks Department. They’ll show it to you, or see, see the secretary, but I saw it,” Trump remarked, likely referring to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “They cut it very violently. The same thing with the floor, they cut it, and then they lifted it. They pulled it, and that’s what it is.” After defending the project, Trump asserted, “We also have pictures.”

When prompted for further evidence, Trump stated, “Yeah, at the right time you’ll see it. You’ll see it in court. You’ll see it in court, but all you have to do is call the Parks Department, call the Department of Interior.” A photograph taken on June 21 by AP photographer Jon Elswick depicts visible blue coating amid algae at the Reflecting Pool.

Additionally, Trump speculated that fertilizer may have been added to the water, fostering algae growth that teams have been trying to eliminate. “If you put fertilizer in the water, you get algae, but somebody said they might have put fertilizer, they did something to create the algae,” Trump mentioned without substantiating these assertions.

CBS News awaits feedback from the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior. Responses remain forthcoming. Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which was awarded a no-bid contract for applying sealant at the Reflecting Pool, confirmed “some areas” needing repairs. “These areas are a very small part of the massive 7-acre project, and do not indicate a failure of the liner,” the company asserted. “These repairs can not be made until the pool is drained. As soon as it’s feasible for the park, the pool will be drained and AIC will be back to make those needed repairs as part of the warranty.”