President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that federal authorities had made multiple arrests of individuals he accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as he struggled to explain why the $14-million-plus rehabilitation project for the nation's 250th anniversary appeared to backfire.
Trump's Claims and Project History
Trump said his predecessors had allowed the pool to turn an algae-stained green and that he ordered it lined with American flag blue to better reflect the Washington Monument. However, after the new pool was unveiled, its blue tinge quickly reverted to green. Workers treated it with chemicals to kill the algae, but the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.
On Friday night, Trump posted about the pool on his social media site, stating, We've had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool. Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they've also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed. He offered no details to substantiate his claim.
Arrests and Lack of Official Confirmation
Agencies responsible for law enforcement and upkeep on the National Mall—the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department—did not respond to requests for comment. Trump followed up on Saturday by posting that Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll, correcting his spelling to Pool later. He added, Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail!
Trump later acknowledged in a post that the Reflecting Pool will need to be repaired yet again, writing, 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.
Arrestee's Account
One man arrested was David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, who owned a company that made composite used to build watercraft. He said he stopped by the pool during his 64-mile bike ride Friday to see what was going on. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool because he wanted to examine the peeling new coating. He briefly touched a chunk still attached to the side, then let go after a park worker told him to. However, Hearn said he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released Friday night. I'm a curious citizen, Hearn said. I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.
Evidence and Context
Even if someone pulled ribbons of paint from the side of the pool, it would not explain the clouds of algae in green water and swaths of loose blue paint detached from the bottom. Trump insisted something nefarious has been going on, posting, No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work. This appeared to reference the discovery of large numbers etched in discolored grass on the National Mall the week before: 86 47. Authorities said the numbers could have been meant as a threat to Trump, the 47th president, as 86 can be slang for getting rid of. They are investigating.
Trump's claims came after days of negative attention to the state of the pool, which has drawn television cameras and curious onlookers. The Washington Post first reported Hearn's arrest, and he said he has a date to appear in court next month and is looking for legal help.
