President Donald Trump asserted that federal authorities have made multiple arrests in connection with vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, attributing the ongoing issues with the recently rehabilitated landmark to deliberate damage. The pool, which underwent a rehabilitation project for the nation's 250th anniversary, has experienced peeling paint and accumulated algae shortly after its unveiling.
Trump stated on his social media site that "multiple individuals" were arrested by Park Police for vandalizing the pool. He also claimed that prior administrations had allowed the pool to become algae-ridden and that his administration aimed to line it with a "American flag blue" to better reflect the Washington Monument. However, the new blue lining has begun to peel, and the water has turned green with algae.
"We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool," Trump posted Friday night. "Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed."
He further alleged, "No different than the chemicals that were were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work." This statement appeared to reference the discovery of large numbers etched in discolored grass on the National Mall the previous week, which authorities investigated as a potential threat.
Despite the claims of vandalism, National Park Service employees and contractors have been observed vacuuming algae and addressing the peeling paint. One man arrested, David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, told The Associated Press that he briefly reached into the pool during a bike ride to examine the peeling coating. He stated he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for several hours before his release. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, described the coating as "very rubbery."
Trump later acknowledged that the Reflecting Pool would likely require further repairs and may need to be drained again. "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. The condition of the pool has drawn public attention and media coverage in recent days.