Trump blames vandalism for algae-filled Reflecting Pool as former Olympic athlete is arrested

Donald Trump has blamed vandalism for the green water and algae covering Washington’s Reflecting Pool, while government workers race to restore its blue appearance before July 4 celebrations.

The pool, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, has become an unexpected national political issue as Trump made its renovation a centerpiece of events marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said vandals had damaged the grass around the pool and tried to harm its newly installed interior surface.

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We have had serious vandalism problems at the beautiful Reflecting Pool.

“We have had serious vandalism problems at the beautiful Reflecting Pool,” Trump wrote. He said people had used substances in the pool “to try to destroy and disparage” the renovation.

On Friday, U.S. Park Police arrested a cyclist on a misdemeanor charge of destroying government property. Authorities accused David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic athlete, of tearing away part of the pool’s bottom lining, which gives the water its blue color. Hearn is scheduled to appear in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on July 9.

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They used substances in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and disparage the magnificent work.

In comments reported by The Washington Post, Hearn denied vandalizing the pool. “I did not destroy, break or peel anything off. When I realized what was happening, they were already handcuffing me,” he said. He said he had only put his hand into the pool during his usual bicycle ride.

Meanwhile, government workers are trying to remove the algae and restore the blue color Trump wants for the July 4 celebrations.

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I did not destroy, break or peel anything off. When I realized what was happening, they were already handcuffing me.