- President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. Park Police had arrested multiple people for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been affected by algae and peeling paint since a costly renovation.
- Trump described the alleged vandalism as very serious crimes that could result in years in jail.
- Trump condemned the actions of the vandals as a true affront to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
- The National Park Service (NPS) is actively working to control and remove the algae bloom that has turned the pool green following a $14 million repair, resealing, and painting project.
- The Interior Department completed a repainting job on the Reflecting Pool costing more than $14.65 million, exceeding the estimated cost by $4 million.
- Trump pledged that work would begin immediately to repair the peeling lining of the Reflecting Pool.
- In a follow-up post, Trump indicated that the Reflecting Pool would likely need to be partially drained to repair the peeling lining, which he claimed was damaged by intentional sabotage.
- Trump alleged that vandals poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the pool, causing the lining to peel.
- Hearn was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property and is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
President Trump reported multiple arrests for alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been marred by algae and peeling paint after a $14 million renovation. The National Park Service (NPS) is actively addressing the algae bloom that has turned the pool green.
Trump emphasized the seriousness of the alleged crimes, stating, "These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail," on social media. He also claimed that the Reflecting Pool would likely need to be partially drained to repair the damage, which he attributed to intentional sabotage.
The president described the vandalism as a "true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly," highlighting the significance of the site. One of the arrested individuals, identified as David Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time U.S. Olympian canoeist, denied the allegations, stating, "I didn't vandalize anything. I didn't destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs." Hearn faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property and is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
The Interior Department recently completed a repainting job on the Reflecting Pool that cost over $14.65 million, exceeding the initial budget by $4 million. Trump pledged that repairs would begin "immediately" to address the peeling lining, which he claims was damaged by vandalism.
“President Trump stated that multiple arrests were made for vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The National Park Service is also addressing an algae bloom affecting the pool.”
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