President Donald Trump said multiple people have been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has come under scrutiny after algae growth and peeling paint appeared shortly after a costly renovation project was completed.
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The president made the announcement on social media on Saturday, accusing those involved of committing serious crimes against national monuments. He did not provide details about the number of arrests or the specific acts that led to them.
“These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments,” Trump wrote, adding that those responsible could face prison sentences.
Renovation Problems Draw Attention
The Reflecting Pool has attracted widespread attention in recent days after visitors shared photos and videos online showing algae forming in the water and sections of the newly painted lining peeling away.
The Interior Department recently completed a repainting project at the site, with the final cost exceeding $14.65 million, about $4 million above the original estimate.
Picture courtesy of CNN/Aaron Schwartz/Reuters
Trump said repair work would begin immediately and suggested that part of the pool may need to be drained to address the damage.
“We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs,” he wrote.
Sabotage Claims Without Evidence
The president also repeated claims that the damage was the result of deliberate sabotage. He alleged that vandals poured “corrosive and destructive chemicals” into the pool, causing the lining to peel.
Trump further claimed that someone used a knife or blade to create a 250-foot gash in what he described as the structure’s facade. He did not clarify whether he was referring to the Reflecting Pool itself or another nearby monument.
No evidence was publicly presented to support the sabotage allegations.
Trump linked the alleged vandalism to the large “86 47” message recently marked in grass on the National Mall and described the incidents as an insult to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Olympian Denies Wrongdoing
Hours before announcing the arrests, Trump shared a report about the arrest of a man near the Reflecting Pool on Friday.
According to The Washington Post, the man was identified as 67-year-old David Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympic canoeist.
Hearn denied damaging the pool in an interview with the newspaper.
“I didn't vandalize anything,” he said. “I didn't destroy or break or peel anything.”
He said he had only touched a section of material that was already peeling and remained attached to the bottom of the pool.
According to the Post, 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.
The U.S. Park Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the arrests mentioned by Trump.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 June 2026