Reflecting pool to be drained again as Trump claims five vandalism arrests

The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is scheduled for another draining following claims by former President Donald Trump that five individuals were arrested for vandalism. Trump asserted, without providing proof, that five more are under investigation for causing algae blooms and peeling paint weeks after his $14 million renovation. He described a slit in the paint and fertilizer added to the water, though reporters visiting the pool saw no evidence of such damage. A three-time Olympic cyclist, David Hearn, told The Washington Post he was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for touching the peeling paint liner out of curiosity. Trump's administration had painted the pool's bottom a dark navy blue, officially named "Old Glory Blue," for the country's 250th birthday. The contract was awarded without a bidding process to a company that had previously worked on pools at one of Trump's golf clubs. Soon after the work's completion, algae appeared, and the paint began to detach. Trump insisted on Monday that "vandals," not the pool company, were to blame for the issues. When pressed for evidence, he directed reporters to the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, neither of which immediately responded. He questioned how alleged vandals could approach the monument given the heavy police presence, stating there weren't "a lot" of police at the time. A spokesperson for the DC Water Authority confirmed a temporary permit was issued for discharging water into a sewer leading to a local treatment facility, valid from June 16 to July 2. Trump had previously posted on social media that destruction of federal property carries a 10-year prison sentence, which will be fully enforced.

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It’s not a lot of damage, but we’ll probably have to let the water out and refix it. They went in there with a knife.