Arrests reported after pool damage claim
At least five people have been arrested and five others cited in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, an administration official said Monday. The case followed claims by US President Donald Trump that vandals had damaged the Washington landmark by cutting what he described as a 250-foot-long gash into its surface. Trump made the allegation on Saturday but did not provide evidence publicly to support the claim.
The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, had recently become part of a renovation effort promoted by Trump. The president ordered contractors to drain the 610-metre pool and repaint it “American flag blue,” making the site one of his more visible public renovation projects in the capital. Soon after the work was completed, however, the coating reportedly began peeling and algae turned parts of the water green.
Trump warns against vandalism
On Monday, Trump warned that anyone attempting to damage the landmark could face prison sentences. In a post on Truth Social, he said several statues and fountains had been rebuilt, renovated, cleaned or repaired, and claimed the Reflecting Pool was the only one that had been vandalized. He added that the issue was being addressed as quickly as possible.
The president’s comments placed renewed attention on the condition of the landmark and the cause of the reported damage. While officials confirmed arrests and citations connected to the alleged vandalism, the available details did not clearly establish whether the peeling paint and algae were caused by vandalism, project issues or other factors.
Investigation and repairs continue
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool remains one of Washington’s most recognizable public spaces and regularly draws visitors from across the United States and around the world. Any disruption at the site attracts attention because of its symbolic importance and its location near major national monuments.
Authorities have not released full details about the people arrested or cited, and the investigation is expected to determine whether criminal damage occurred and what role, if any, the suspects played. For now, the case combines a public renovation dispute, a vandalism allegation and questions over the durability of the recent work at one of the country’s best-known landmarks.
