Donald Trump shared photos on social media Sunday showcasing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with clear, blue water, reflecting the Washington Monument. He highlighted the success of an advanced nanobubbler technology, credited by the Interior Department for killing algae that has previously affected the pool.
Trump also posted a "Wanted" notice from the U.S. Park Police, seeking public assistance to identify individuals involved in a destruction of government property investigation related to the Reflecting Pool. The vandalism occurred on Friday afternoon near the Lincoln Memorial.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in comments to ABC's "This Week," addressed the pattern of vandalism targeting the National Mall, including the Reflecting Pool. He stated that seven individuals have been arrested in connection with such acts and emphasized that the government will prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
Burgum noted that while there were a "few vandals," the damage is repairable. He indicated that the pool may not require a full draining to complete the necessary repairs. The vandalism reportedly caused "multiple gashes that add up to 350 feet."
The Interior Department's statement, shared by Trump, lauded the nanobubbler technology and the National Park Service's cleanup efforts. "The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear, and our National Park Service team is now vacuuming up the dead algae resting on the bottom of some parts of the Reflecting Pool," the statement read. It also contrasted the current clarity with perceived failures of previous administrations, specifically mentioning the Obama administration, to maintain the pool's condition.
Burgum described the acts of vandalism as an attack on the country and expressed that such incidents were unexpected, as the Reflecting Pool had gone for decades without similar damage. He confirmed that security measures are in place and that restoration efforts are underway.