President Donald Trump blamed vandals Saturday for fresh damage to the Reflecting Pool, claiming the incidents warrant serious federal charges as his signature renovation project continues to unravel on the National Mall.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump said multiple arrests had been made in connection with alleged vandalism, including that of an Olympic canoeist. He alleged that vandals used "some form of knife or blade" to create a 250-foot gash in the pool's newly sealed surface and poured corrosive chemicals into the water. Trump called the alleged crimes "very serious" and said they could result in years of imprisonment.
"What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly," Trump wrote, framing the damage as a national monument violation.
The 2,030-foot pool at the base of the Lincoln Memorial has been plagued by complications since workers refilled it after applying a new "American flag blue" sealant to the floor. Large chunks of the coating have begun peeling off and floating to the surface, creating a visible eyesore for visitors. An algae bloom has also persisted despite cleanup efforts.
Trump said he met with contractors Saturday and indicated that much of the water may need to be drained again to address the deteriorating floor condition. The $14 million project, intended as a centerpiece of a broader beautification initiative ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary, has faced mounting complications since its launch.
One of those arrested was David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist who described his detention as puzzling. Hearn said he visited the pool Friday out of curiosity and briefly touched a piece of the detached coating while riding his bike through the area.
"I didn't remove, tear, rip, break or destroy any of it," Hearn told NBC News. "The condition of the reflecting pool was the same after I stepped away from the water as it was before I got there."
Hearn said he was arrested by a National Guardsman and held for five hours but was never clearly informed of which federal law he had allegedly violated. The National Guard did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump had previously shared the article about Hearn's arrest on social media, amplifying the case. The U.S. Park Police did not respond to inquiries about the arrests or charges.
The pool's troubles have drawn sustained public attention. On Friday, workers were observed scrubbing the surface as algae turned the water green once again. Last month, Trump visited the site during initial renovations to tout the improvements, predicting the new blue color would be far superior to previous iterations.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Blaming vandals for what appears to be construction defects is a familiar Trump move, but the exploding sealant and persistent algae tell a different story."
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