Washington — Following weeks of denouncing accused vandals, President Trump announced late on Monday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool had been drained for repairs.
“We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago,” Trump posted on Truth social.
“The Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the water tight basin,” he stated. “It will be refilled and put back into service soon.”
As part of a series of initiatives in advance of the country’s 250th birthday, the president began renovating the Reflecting Pool in April. However, the endeavor encountered a number of obstacles earlier this summer, including the appearance of rips in the Reflecting Pool’s new surface and algae turning the water a bright green.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
The National Park Service reported last month that the damage was caused by a sharp knife, after the president blamed the renovated project’s peeling surface on vandals. It was not clear what kind of evidence the National Park Service had.
Several people have been arrested for alleged vandalism related to the Reflecting Pool, and last week, U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty to charges after he was accused of ripping out a portion of the sealant from the bottom of the pool. Hearn said he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride and was arrested after reaching down into the pool. He has said he was just interested in the material and briefly touched it.
On Monday, Mr. Trump reiterated that the individuals allegedly responsible should “pay a big price for the damage done.”
The president said “slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs.” He said the administration “wanted to wait until after the July 4th Weekend” to make the repairs.
CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe asked the president in late June for evidence of his claims.
“Yeah, at the right time you’ll see it,” Mr. Trump said. “You’ll see it in court. You’ll see it in court, but all you have to do is call the Parks Department, call the Department of Interior.”
