Trump says – President Donald Trump said federal authorities made multiple arrests over vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as the rehabilitation project he launched shows algae and a blue coating that has peeled—forcing the pool to be drained again for repa
For days, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been a spectacle—green-tinted water, visible algae, and loose blue paint peeling off the bottom—pulling television cameras and curious onlookers to the National Mall.
On Friday night, President Donald Trump leaned into a different explanation. He posted that federal authorities had “multiple arrests” tied to “vandalism” at what he called the “beautiful Reflecting Pool. ” saying people had destroyed grass outside the pool and “done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.”.
Trump offered no specifics to support the claim, even as the trouble he highlighted remained visible for anyone walking nearby. He had previously said the pool would be lined in “American flag blue. ” so it would better reflect the Washington Monument. after describing how his predecessors let the pool turn algae-stained green.
But after the pool was unveiled, the blue surface quickly became a familiar shade of green. Workers used chemicals to kill the algae, yet the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.
Behind the scenes, agencies responsible for law enforcement and upkeep on the National Mall—including the U.S. Park Police, the National Park Service, and the Interior Department—did not respond to requests for comment. Trump then followed up Saturday by posting that Park Police “have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll. ” later correcting the spelling to “Pool.”.
He said, “Who would do such a thing?” and called it “very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments,” adding “Years in jail!”
The posts, however, did not match the full picture the pool itself was showing. Even if someone had pulled ribbons of paint from the side. it would not explain the algae-filled green water and swaths of detached blue paint from the bottom—problems that have already triggered cleaning efforts. including National Park Service employees and contractors using vacuums to remove green algae from the bottom of the pool.
Trump later acknowledged in a post that the pool would need repairs again to restore it “an equal level of Beauty” as before. “We met with contractors today. will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs. but will have them done as quickly as possible. ” he wrote.
One of the men arrested. David Hearn. 67. of Bethesda. Maryland. drew attention for how close he says he got to the problem before he was detained. Hearn. who owned a company that made composite used to build watercraft. told The Associated Press that he stopped by during a 64-mile bike ride Friday to see what was going on.
Hearn said he reached into the pool to examine the peeling new coating. He told the AP he briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool. then let go shortly after a park worker told him to. He said he was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released Friday night.
“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn said in a telephone interview. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.”
The Washington Post first reported Hearn’s arrest. Hearn said he has a date to appear in court next month and is looking for legal help.
Trump’s vandalism framing gained another thread from earlier unrest on the National Mall. In his Friday evening post, he suggested something similar was done in the Reflecting Pool. “No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall. they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work. ” he wrote.
That appeared to reference the discovery from the week before of large numbers etched in discolored grass on the National Mall: “86 47.” Authorities said the numbers could have been meant as a threat to Trump. the 47th president. They said the number 86 can be slang for “getting rid of,” and they are investigating.
For now. the pool’s condition has done the talking—algae-laden water. chemicals. and peeling coatings—while Trump’s insistence on nefarious action remains tied to arrest claims he did not detail. With repairs and draining likely on the way again. the question facing the National Mall’s caretakers is blunt: what. exactly. caused the pool’s problems—and whether the explanation Trump chose matches what the pool itself has shown since it reopened in the effort tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Trump Reflecting Pool Lincoln Memorial vandalism National Park Service U.S. Park Police Park Police arrests algae rehabilitation project National Mall Washington Monument David Hearn Bethesda National Guard court date
So they drained it again because… blue paint? k.
I saw the green pool on TV and honestly thought it was like the whole point to have it green again? But now it’s vandalism and arrests?? Somebody better explain why the coating is peeling, not just blame “vandals.”
Bro they say “American flag blue” like that’s gonna fix algae by itself. If it’s “blue coating” peeling, that sounds like the project/materials were messed up. But sure, vandalism makes it easier to avoid accountability I guess.
Multiple arrests for vandalizing a reflecting pool??? I don’t even get who would go touch grass outside a pool in DC and then somehow hurt the inside that was “just installed.” Also the wording “nations magnificent Reflecting Poll” is wild, like come on. If Trump says “years in jail” maybe he should say what the contractors did wrong too because that blue turned green fast.