Donald Trump Latest News: US President Donald Trump announced that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained on Monday so crews could repair what he described as damage caused by vandals. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the landmark would be “refilled and put back into service soon.” According to Trump, the Parks Department emptied the pool to repair the “water tight basin” after significant damage was discovered in the lining.
Donald Trump Latest News: Reflecting Pool Drained for Repairs
Trump claimed that vandals cut the floor of the pool and pulled it upward “with great force.” He said the slashes measured 300 yards, or roughly 900 feet, making the latest estimate much larger than his earlier claims of a 250-foot cut and later a 350-foot damaged section.
The president also alleged that the lining was “slashed with a knife, or a box cutter.”
Donald Trump Latest News: CNN Observes Drained Pool
CNN reported that much of the water had been drained from the Reflecting Pool, exposing dried sediment, algae and debris. The pool had recently undergone a renovation that Trump previously described as giving the landmark an “American flag blue” appearance.
A CNN crew that visited the site said it did not observe obvious signs of long gashes in the visible portions of the newly installed lining, though fencing around the monument limited access to the full length of the pool.
Renovation Faced Multiple Problems
The renovation project, valued at more than $14 million, has faced several challenges since work began in April. The pool has experienced major algae blooms, green-colored water, a chipping bottom surface and ongoing allegations of vandalism.
Interior Department Defends Vandalism Claim
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a July 5 interview on CNN’s State of the Union that the government could “absolutely” prove the damage was caused by vandals and that photographs existed to support the claim. However, he did not directly answer whether those images showed individuals damaging the pool.
Burgum later said crews began draining the pool after the July Fourth fireworks display and that some fireworks debris remained in the water.
Charges Filed in Paint Removal Case
In recent weeks, at least three people have been charged with destruction of property after allegedly removing pieces of blue paint from the Reflecting Pool. All three have pleaded not guilty. Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was indicted on the same charge, also pleaded not guilty last week.
Donald Trump Latest News: Pool Expected to Reopen Soon
Trump said the Reflecting Pool would be repaired and reopened shortly after work on the basin is completed. Federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and the US Park Police, have been asked by CNN whether evidence of the claimed gashes was found after the pool was drained.
