WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that several arrests have been made concerning alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. Among those arrested is an Olympic canoeist, as the administration grapples with setbacks in the site’s $14 million renovation project.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump claimed vandals were responsible for damage to the pool and stated these actions could result in significant jail time. He expressed contempt for the acts, which he described as an affront to national monuments.
The Reflecting Pool, spanning 2,030 feet at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, faced issues with an algae bloom as workers refilled it. A new American flag blue sealant applied to the pool floor began peeling, with sections visibly rising above the water surface.
Trump mentioned his meeting with contractors and suggested draining much of the water to mend the pool’s floor. He accused vandals of causing a large gash in the pool’s facade and introducing corrosive chemicals.
David “Davey” Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, recounted a five-hour detention after he touched loose coating pieces at the site. Hearn claimed he did not damage the pool further and remarked on the flexible nature of the coating.
“It was kind of stiff, stiff, but flexible, pretty rubbery. Didn’t feel brittle in any way,” Hearn explained.
Hearn shared confusion about the charges, as the arresting national guardsman couldn’t specify which law he had broken. The National Guard and U.S. Park Police have yet to respond to requests for comments.
Trump previously criticized past administrations over the pool’s prior state and praised the current renovation efforts. Despite ongoing maintenance, algae has reared its hue in the pool again.