President Donald Trump has announced that repair work will begin 'immediately' on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC, following claims of serious vandalism. The pool, which underwent a $14.2 million renovation for America's 250th anniversary celebrations, has been plagued by algae blooms and peeling paint.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said he had inspected the pool and described it as 'seriously vandalised'. He blamed the problems on vandals, claiming that 'many additional people have been arrested' in connection with the damage. However, exact details of arrests remain unclear.
Reports suggest five people have been arrested for vandalising the pool, with another five issued federal citations. Among those apprehended was three-time Olympian David Hearn, who told the Washington Post he was arrested after touching a piece of peeling paint liner. US attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, said those caught vandalising the pool would be fully prosecuted.
Trump previously suggested the pool might need to be drained for repairs, but his latest post stated work would start immediately. He also referenced an earlier incident where the numbers '8647' – interpreted as slang for cancelling Trump, the 47th president – were etched into the lawn near the pool.
The National Park Service has been treating the algae bloom with hydrogen peroxide. Trump claimed on Friday that 75% of the algae had been removed, and insisted that after renovation the pool was reflecting better than ever, comparing it favourably to its original 1922 condition.
