Multiple People Arrested as Trump Claims Lincoln Pool Was Target of Vandalization
The Trump administration is blaming vandals for the recent issues with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying that several people have been arrested in connection with desecrating the body of water on the National Mall. Read on for the latest developments on this ongoing saga.
White House Blames Vandals for Ruining Reflecting Pool
President Donald Trump said that multiple people have been arrested for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial in the heart of Washington, D.C. The 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool reopened on June 6 after undergoing $16 million in renovations, including a paint job.
However, the new "American flag blue" paint began to peel off less than two weeks after the reopening. The pool has also been besieged by an algae bloom that is making the water green.
Trump accused vandals of pouring corrosive chemicals into the pool on Saturday. Just one day later, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told Fox News that there have been citations for vandalism issued, warning that individuals could face more severe charges if found guilty of adding products to the pool to produce algae.
The president posted on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon, saying that “Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it?” The president said that the pool "worked perfectly" prior to the reported vandalism.
The renovation of the reflecting pool began in April as part of a more extensive plan by the White House to "beautify" the nation's capital in advance of America's 250th birthday. In addition to the renovation of the reflecting pool, the Trump administration also demolished the White House East Wing to make room for a $250 million ballroom. The president also wants to build a new arch dubbed the "Arc de Trump" towering over the capital city near Arlington National Cemetery. These plans have been met by opposition in Congress and in the courts.
About the Arrests
The White House confirmed on Saturday that several people have been arrested for vandalizing the pool, including three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn. The 67-year-old former slalom canoeist was arrested on Friday after he touched a piece of the rubbery material that reportedly broke loose from the bottom of the pool.
A video posted online shows U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops handcuffing Hearn. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Hearn now faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property. Hearn was released later Friday night after being detained for about five hours.
Hearn maintains that he did not “destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the paint. He went on to say that, “It’s pretty clear that somebody high up decided to make an example of me."
Trump said that more arrests could be forthcoming, warning that the alleged vandals could spend "years in jail!" He reiterated this threat on Monday, posting “Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things - Which will be fully enforced!” Maximum sentences are rare in these instances; however, the federal criminal charges come with a maximum fine of up to $250,000 or 10 years in jail.
President Trump also accused ABC reporter Jonathan Karl of sabotaging the pool, saying that he tried to "rip the rubber off the surface." Video shows Karl holding what appeared to be a piece of paint that had peeled off while reporting from the pool last week.
While the Trump administration claims that the pool has been the target of vandalism, there have been no videos to prove this. National Guard members, Park Police, and other law enforcement were observed patrolling the area around the pool on Monday. Law enforcement officials also set up security cameras to monitor this part of the National Mall.
Algae in the Pool Not Uncommon
Despite the uproar over the algae in the pool, the presence of these blooms is not uncommon during the summer months. The risk of the algae blooms also naturally increases after renovations that impact the balance of nutrients in the water. Experts have also noted that the darker interior that the pool sports now also makes it more susceptible to algae growth because the color absorbs more sunlight.
It is important to note that the specific type of algae that has been identified in the pool is not toxic or harmful. There have been a number of steps taken in recent weeks to try to get the bloom under control. For instance, the National Park Service (NPS) poured hydrogen peroxide into the pool last week to treat the bloom.
The algae bloom was also a periodic problem during the Obama administration. The pool underwent a $34 million renovation between 2010 and 2012 to install a filtration system to mitigate the algae issue. The pool was also painted gray at this time and made shallower.
On Saturday, Trump conceded that the pool will likely need to be drained again to fix the problem. The president keeps reiterating that the damage will be fixed by early next week ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.