Trump Denounces Vandalism at Washington Monument's Reflecting Pool; Ex-Olympian Arrested

President Donald Trump has decried "serious vandalism" at the Reflecting Pool near the Washington Monument, pointing to its greenish hue and algae as evidence. He stated on his Truth Social platform that "they did everything they could to damage the newly installed interior surface" and used "substances in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and belittle" the "magnificent work."

Government workers are working against the clock to return the pool to its intended blue color for the upcoming July 4th independence celebrations. The condition of the water has become a national political issue, with Trump making the monument's renovation a key element of the festivities.

On Friday, U.S. Park Police arrested 67-year-old former Olympian David Hearn for allegedly tearing part of the pool's blue lining. Hearn, who was on his usual bike route, told The Washington Post that he only put his hand in the water and did not vandalize anything. "I didn't destroy, break, or peel anything," he stated, adding, "When I realized what was happening, they were already handcuffing me."

Hearn is scheduled to appear in the District of Columbia Superior Court on July 9th. The incident occurred just days after Trump highlighted the vandalism, which he said included damage to the surrounding lawn and the pool's interior.

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Hemos tenido serios problemas de vandalismo en la hermosa Piscina Reflectante (Reflecting Pool), situada entre el Monumento a Washington y el Monumento a Lincoln