By July 14, 2026 / 8:17 AM EDT / CBS News
Washington — President Trump announced that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained for repairs following damage allegedly caused by vandals. “We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
He explained that the Parks Department needed to empty the water to repair the watertight basin. The pool will be refilled and restored to service shortly.
The president initiated a project in April to renovate the Reflecting Pool in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, the project faced hurdles earlier this summer when algae turned the water a fluorescent green, and rips appeared in the pool’s new surface.
On July 13, 2026, the public could see the partially-drained pool, as captured by Jose Luis Magana/AP. The National Park Service reported last month that the damage resulted from a sharp knife. This followed Trump’s accusations that vandals caused the project’s peeling surface. The clarity of the evidence held by the National Park Service remains uncertain.
Several arrests related to vandalism of the Reflecting Pool have been made. Notably, U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty to charges after being accused of removing sealant from the pool’s bottom. Hearn claimed he was merely curious about the material and briefly touched it during a 64-mile bike ride.
On Monday, Trump emphasized that those responsible should face significant consequences. He described the damage as “slashes were 300 yards long,” with the pool’s floor cut and forcibly pulled upward. The administration opted to postpone repairs until after the July 4th weekend.
CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe inquired about evidence supporting Trump’s claims in late June. “Yeah, at the right time you’ll see it,” Trump replied. “You’ll see it in court. You’ll see it in court, but all you have to do is call the Parks Department, call the Department of Interior.”