Law enforcement officers have increased their presence at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after President Donald Trump alleged that vandals caused significant damage to the recently renovated site. The pool is currently being drained for repairs, which include addressing a reported 300-foot tear in the liner and algae blooms. Trump warned that vandalism could lead to a 10-year prison sentence, although no evidence has been provided to support the claim of vandalism. The National Park Service recently treated the pool with hydrogen peroxide to manage the algae issue.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service indicated that their personnel were not present, but officers from the U.S. Park Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the National Guard were observed near the pool. Additionally, officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department, who were deputized for local events, were also in the area.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, stated that serious charges would be pursued against anyone promoting algae growth in the pool. Five individuals have been arrested for vandalism, and another five received citations. A former Olympian, David Hearn, was arrested for destruction of government property but claimed he was only touching paint that had already come off the pool. The Reflecting Pool has drawn attention following a multimillion-dollar restoration project, which aimed to enhance the area's appearance ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, shortly after the renovation, the water turned green due to algae, and paint began to peel off the surface.