Trump Attributes Dead Grass on National Mall to Vandalism
President Donald Trump claimed that vandals are responsible for the dead grass near the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. This area was used for a stage during his July 4 celebration.
Trump shared his accusations on social media without providing reasons for believing it was vandalism rather than damage from the event itself. A photo he posted shows the area near the World War II Memorial, which now appears patchy and brown.
Look what VANDALS did to the grass connecting the vandalized World War II Monument and the vandalized Reflecting Pool, which will be opened again, and better than ever, shortly.
He also commented, “Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!” Trump has often blamed vandals for damage to projects in the capital, sometimes without evidence.
This month, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office concluded that damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was due to poor construction, contrary to Trump’s claim of vandalism. Authorities have arrested Melissa L. Farris for vandalism at the World War II Memorial, involving graffiti and bubbles in a fountain. However, the charges don’t mention the grassy area Trump highlighted.
Farris had been previously arrested for camping on nearby federal property. However, the area Trump pointed out was where a large stage was built and crowds gathered for the July 4 event, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Trump claimed over 400,000 attendees despite lacking evidence. A storm delayed his remarks.
Photos from a webcam on the Washington Monument show seating areas covering the lawn Trump alleges was vandalized. Workers later removed the structures, revealing dead grass underneath.
On August 1, Trump posted another photo of the area with numbers “86 47,” believed by federal officials to be a threat against Trump. He argued the numbers were proof of vandalism, opposing Pirro’s findings.
Although the numbers were highlighted in his earlier post, they were not visible in his recent social media photo.