Donald Trump alleges vandalism at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, claims arrests made

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has alleged that "vandalism" is responsible for recent damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., necessitating its draining for repairs. Trump stated on Truth Social that several individuals were arrested for "very serious crimes" and called for them to serve multiple years in prison.

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Numerous additional individuals have been arrested in connection with the scandalous vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool.

In a subsequent post, Trump elaborated, claiming that numerous individuals were apprehended in connection with "scandalous vandalism" at the pool. He asserted that they caused a roughly 76-meter-long crack in the "beautiful facade" using a blade and poured corrosive chemicals into the water. Trump provided no evidence to support these claims, describing the alleged actions as an insult to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Trump indicated that repairs would begin as soon as possible, potentially requiring a significant portion of the water to be drained. The Reflecting Pool, a prominent landmark between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was recently renovated for approximately $14.2 million. The contract for this renovation was awarded without a public tender, which Trump justified by citing the urgency of upcoming July 4th Independence Day celebrations.

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They caused a roughly 76-meter-long crack in the beautiful facade with a type of blade. They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the pool.

One of the individuals arrested, 67-year-old David Hearn from Maryland, told the Associated Press that he stopped at the pool after a bike ride and touched the water because he wanted to feel the "flaking off" new coating. Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, stated he was detained for nearly five hours before being released. He maintains he did not intentionally damage anything and was handcuffed as soon as he realized what was happening. Hearn is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.

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I have done nothing willfully. I have not destroyed, broken, or scratched anything. As soon as I realized what was going on, I was already being handcuffed.