President Donald Trump announced that authorities have arrested another individual in relation to the alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump mentioned six arrests and seven citations over the incident. However, he has not yet presented any evidence to support these claims.
Photographs of the pool show deterioration in the form of peeling blue sealant and algae growth, which has turned the water green. Trump has claimed vandals severely damaged the structure, citing a long gash that reportedly extends 350 feet in length. He described the damage as being caused by sharp objects carried out covertly, possibly at night. Furthermore, he mentioned that a section at the bottom of the pool had been forcibly lifted, leaving uneven edges.
Trump also alleged that illegal chemicals were placed in the water and demanded a significant prison sentence for those responsible. The Interior Department plans to release photos of the supposed vandalism, although neither the U.S. Park Police, the National Park Service, nor the Interior Department have commented on the issue.
Among those implicated in the president’s allegations is U.S. Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn. Hearn was detained after touching a portion of the pool’s detached coating. He asserted that he did not damage the pool and was only observing the site’s condition.
“The condition of the reflecting pool was the same after I stepped away from the water as it was before I got there,” Hearn stated.
He added that he was detained by the National Guard but was not informed of the specific federal law he allegedly violated.
Regarding the legal implications, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani noted that most federal cases involve serious charges, but given the political climate, the handling of these arrests could differ. Ramhani explained that federal misdemeanors typically warrant a court appearance rather than a prolonged incarceration unless stated otherwise. According to Trump, the renovation schedule may require draining parts of the pool before or after Independence Day celebrations.
Trump labeled the reflecting pool a personal project, criticizing past administrations for neglecting it. Previously, algae accumulation has been a recurring problem. The facility is undergoing a $14 million renovation, including a new liner and a coating dubbed “American flag blue.”