Trump says Reflecting Pool has been drained and will be ‘put back into service soon’
Trump says Reflecting Pool has been – “`html
Reflecting Pool Undergoes Draining for Repairs Amid Vandalism Claims
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the historic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been emptied to facilitate necessary maintenance work. According to the president’s statement, the landmark water feature “will be refilled and put back into service soon,” while he reiterated his assertion that vandals had damaged the pool’s protective lining.
Journalists from CNN witnessed the drained pool on Monday, noting that substantial portions of the water had been removed. What remained visible included dried sediment, patches of algae, and scattered debris across the surface. This landmark, which had recently undergone renovation and was painted in what Trump previously described as “American flag blue,” now showed signs of its troubled maintenance history.
Algae Blooms and Renovation Challenges
Since Trump initiated the pool’s renovation in April, the project exceeding $14 million has encountered numerous obstacles. Massive algae blooms have plagued the waters, creating a distinctive green hue throughout the basin. Additionally, the pool’s bottom has experienced chipping, while allegations of vandalism have emerged alongside these physical deterioration issues.
On Monday evening, Trump shared his perspective on Truth Social, writing that crews drained the “beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool'” specifically to address “the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago.” He elaborated on the extent of the alleged damage, stating that “The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs.”
Expanding Damage Claims
Trump’s most recent assertion regarding the gashes in the pool’s lining measures “300 yards long”—equivalent to 900 feet or approximately three football fields. This measurement represents a significant increase from his earlier statements about the damage. Initially, Trump characterized the injury as a 250-foot cut, before subsequently claiming there were “actually numerous slashes over a very long 350 foot length.”
A CNN team visited the site late Monday afternoon and reported no immediately visible evidence of extended gashes within the newly installed lining. However, their assessment was limited by fencing that surrounds much of the landmark, preventing complete access to the entire pool length.
“The Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the water tight basin,” the president said Monday night. “It will be refilled and put back into service soon. These Country hating sleazebags should pay a big price for the damage done.”
CNN has contacted multiple federal agencies—including the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the US Park Police—to determine whether investigators have discovered evidence of lining gashes now that the majority of water has been removed from the basin.
Legal Proceedings and Official Response
Over the past several weeks, at least three individuals have faced charges related to property destruction after allegedly removing sections of blue paint from the pool. All three defendants have recently entered not-guilty pleas. Additionally, David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist who was indicted on identical charges, also pleaded not guilty last week.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum provided commentary during a July 5 interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” asserting that the government could “absolutely” demonstrate the damage resulted from vandalism. Burgum indicated that photographs exist to support this claim, though he declined to specify whether those images capture individuals actively damaging the pool.
During a separate podcast appearance last week, Burgum explained that maintenance crews initiated the draining process following the July Fourth fireworks celebration. He noted that remnants of fireworks debris remained suspended in the water at that time.
Later on Monday night, Trump published another message expressing frustration with news coverage concerning the pool. He maintained that the lining “was slashed with a knife, or a box cutter” and went further to claim that even the algae blooms were “caused by vandals.” His ongoing beautification initiative for Washington, D.C., continues to navigate these complex challenges as the Reflecting Pool awaits its return to full operation.
“`
