The U.S. Park Police is asking for public help in finding a person seen in a video concerning the damage to the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. This incident is part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged destruction of government property.
The event occurred on Friday at around 3:36 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool, located on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial. The footage released by the authorities depicts a person kneeling beside the Reflecting Pool, reaching into the water. The individual appears to have dark hair and is dressed in a gray shirt and black shorts, carrying a light-colored handbag.
The investigation stems from a previous attempt by then-President Donald Trump to refurbish the Reflecting Pool. This project ended with peeling paint and algae transforming the planned “American Flag Blue” color of the water to a greenish hue.
Trump, along with other officials, mentioned the arrest of several individuals allegedly involved in damaging the Reflecting Pool. He described those responsible as “sick people” who used sharp objects to inflict the damage.
“They went down with probably a box cutter or a very sharp razor of some kind or a knife, and they cut, and then they started ripping it up,”Trump stated from the Oval Office.
Trump emphasized the need for strict legal repercussions, suggesting lengthy jail terms for those responsible. He attributed the damage to “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” For repairs to proceed, some water will be drained from the pool. Trump had earlier speculated about possible fertilizer usage leading to algae formation, citing a “huge field of grass” around the pool where acid may have been poured.
The National Park Service, alongside contractors, has been working to clear green algae using vacuums. This effort was observed at the Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026. Trump noted the rapid impact of acid on grass and referred to it as an ongoing corrective measure.
In remarks made on Monday, Trump commented on the illegal application of chemicals in the pool’s water.