Trump Announces Arrests in Reflecting Pool Vandalism
US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that several individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the recently renovated pool was severely damaged, including a 250-foot-long gash carved into its newly installed lining and the pouring of corrosive chemicals into the water.
Details of the Alleged Damage
Trump described the incident, saying, "They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete. They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool." He emphasized that the pool had never been as beautiful as it was just a week prior, even compared to its original 1922 condition.
Trump criticized previous administrations for allowing the pool to deteriorate into an algae-covered green color. He pledged to refurbish it with an "American flag blue" lining to improve its appearance and enhance reflections of the Washington Monument. However, shortly after the renovated pool was unveiled, the water again developed a greenish hue due to algae growth. Workers used chemical treatments to address the issue, but the newly painted blue lining reportedly began peeling away.
Arrest of Olympic Cyclist David Hearn
According to The Washington Post, Olympic cyclist David Hearn was arrested by the US Park Police on Friday on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property following an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn had stopped at the memorial after completing a 52-mile bicycle ride around Hains Point and noticed that a section of the pool's recently installed "American flag blue" liner had come loose from the bottom.
Hearn told authorities that he reached into the water to examine the detached material. He was taken into custody shortly afterwards as he was preparing to leave the area and is scheduled to appear in DC Superior Court on July 9, The Washington Post reported. The arrest comes days after Trump alleged that vandals had damaged parts of the recently renovated Reflecting Pool and nearby areas.
