Reflecting Pool to Be Drained Again Amid Vandalism Allegations
The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is set to be drained once more after President Donald Trump alleged on Monday that five people had been arrested for vandalism and five more were under investigation, blaming them for algae blooms and peeling paint that emerged weeks after a costly $14m renovation. Trump claimed the vandals caused a 350-foot slit in the pool's paint and introduced fertilizer to spur algae growth, but reporters who visited the site on Sunday found no evidence of such damage, according to the Washington Post.
Trump's Claims and Lack of Evidence
Trump told reporters that the damage included a slit initially described as 290 to 300 feet, later amended to 350 feet, and that someone had put fertilizer into the water. However, when pressed for evidence, he directed inquiries to the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, neither of which immediately responded to requests for comment. The U.S. Park Police also did not provide comment. David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge after touching peeling paint liner out of curiosity, according to the Washington Post.
Renovation Details and Subsequent Problems
Trump awarded a no-bid contract to a company that had previously worked on swimming pools at one of his golf clubs, aiming to turn the monument's water a shade of navy called “Old Glory Blue” in time for the country’s 250th birthday. Within days of completion, algae plagued the standing water and the paint began to detach. Trump insisted the pool company was not at fault, instead pointing to vandals. He questioned how vandals could access the highly policed area, noting that “we didn’t have a lot” of police at the time.
Draining Permit and Legal Warnings
The DC Water Authority issued a temporary permit to the National Park Service to discharge water into a sewer leading to a local treatment facility, valid from June 16 to July 2. It remains unclear when the pool will be drained. Trump posted on social media that destruction of federal property can carry a 10-year prison sentence, which “will be fully enforced.”
