Arrests Made in Vandalism of Reflecting Pool Renovation

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that several arrests have been made related to vandalism at the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. Among those apprehended is an Olympic canoeist, linked to the ongoing $14 million renovation project facing multiple setbacks.

Trump made these claims in posts on Truth Social, although he did not provide any evidence. He expressed that the alleged vandalism could result in significant jail time. “Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments,” he wrote.

The pool, measuring 2,030 feet and located at the Lincoln Memorial’s base, is suffering from an algae bloom. This issue surfaced after the pool was refilled following a new “American flag blue” sealant application on its floor. The sealant has started peeling, revealing chunks above the water surface.

Trump detailed his meeting with contractors on Saturday, indicating that parts of the pool might need draining to address the floor damage. “What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly,” he stated in another post. He described the damage as a 250-foot-long gash and claimed chemicals were poured into the pool.

A tear in the newly applied sealant can be seen at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

This renovation is a significant project for the president, aligning with broader beautification efforts in Washington for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Despite ongoing attempts to clear the algae, the bloom and peeling sealant remain noticeable to visitors.

David “Davey” Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, spoke to NBC News about his arrest and detention for five hours after interacting with the pool’s detached coating. “At the end of a bike ride, I went to the pool to satisfy my curiosity as a citizen about the algae and peeling blue coating,” Hearn explained. “I didn’t remove, tear, rip, break or destroy any of it,” he added.

Hearn mentioned that the national guardsman arresting him couldn’t specify the federal law allegedly violated. “All of a sudden they were handcuffing me behind my back, and they hadn’t really told me what I was charged with,” shared Hearn. The National Guard and U.S. Park Police did not respond to requests for comment.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump highlighted an article about Hearn’s arrest on social media. Recently, with initial renovations underway, Trump criticized predecessors for the pool’s previous conditions. Last month, he visited the site during renovations, emphasizing his improvement efforts. “It never had the color people wanted, but now it’s going to have the great color,” stated Trump.

Workers were observed on Friday cleaning the pool as algae once again tinted the water green.