Additional Coverage:
- Police release image of alleged Reflecting Pool vandal suspected of turning the water swamp green (themirror.com)
The U.S. Park Police are seeking to identify an individual captured on video in connection with recent damage to the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The incident reportedly took place on Friday around 3:36 p.m.
Footage released by authorities shows a person kneeling near the pool, reaching into the water. The individual is described as having dark hair, carrying a light-colored purse, and wearing black shorts with a gray shirt. This inquiry follows efforts to resurface the Reflecting Pool after President Donald Trump’s renovations resulted in the water turning a murky green rather than the intended “American Flag Blue,” due to peeling paint and algae growth.
Several people have been detained or cited for allegedly damaging the pool, according to statements from Trump and other officials. Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump accused the perpetrators of using sharp tools such as box cutters or knives to cut and rip the pool’s lining. He characterized the acts as deliberate vandalism motivated by what he termed “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and called for lengthy jail sentences for those responsible.
The president also mentioned plans to partially drain the pool to facilitate repairs. He speculated that algae growth might have been caused by fertilizer runoff from the surrounding grassy areas. Additionally, Trump claimed that acid had been poured on nearby grass, resulting in damage that is now being addressed.
A senior National Park Service official confirmed that a sharp object had sliced a liner beneath the Reflecting Pool this month, damaging the foam sealant installed during a $16 million renovation. Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, reported the June 9 incident to U.S.
Park Police. In a court filing supporting a nonprofit’s lawsuit aimed at halting the administration’s work on the project, Lands did not identify suspects or explicitly label the damage as vandalism.
Investigations continue as officials work to assess the full extent of the damage and determine accountability.