NOW PLAYING
President Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is “probably” going to be drained for repairs after a recent algae bloom and instances of peeling paint following his administration’s major renovation of the Washington landmark.
“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,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday night.
“Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool. It hasn’t looked or worked like this since 1922, when it was originally built, but even then, it leaked badly, and didn’t work,” Trump also wrote. “Ours worked perfectly, including the mirror like finish, perfectly reflecting the two Great Monuments, which it never had before! What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly.”
Trump claimed earlier on Saturday that multiple individuals had been arrested for allegedly vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.
One of those detained, a three-time Olympian named David Hearn, told The Washington Post that he stopped next to the pool to touch one of the peeling pieces of paint liner and was then arrested by U.S. Park Police on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.
“Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Shortly after Trump’s nearly $15 million renovation of the site, the pool’s water turned green because of an algae bloom. On Thursday, the Interior Department’s press team said the vacuuming of the pool was “the final maintenance step” after refilling it and would “be complete in a few days.”
A department spokesperson also previously told The Hill that workers were using hydrogen peroxide to treat the pool, adding that there were “no harmful side effects” to marine life or the environment.
Trump has launched many renovation projects in Washington, D.C., during his second term, including a controversial ballroom project that resulted in the destruction of the White House’s East Wing and sparked widespread backlash.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Abraham Lincoln algae Donald Trump George Washington Reflecting PoolCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Administration News
See All
Administration Vance arrives in Switzerland as US-Iran nuclear talks get underway by Tara Suter 1 hour ago Administration / 1 hour ago 
