President Trump says law enforcement is investigating ‘vandalism’ at reflecting pool
President Donald Trump blamed vandalism for problems following a $16 million pool renovation in a post on Truth Social.
Algae has been growing on the recently renovated reflecting pool on the National Mall for nearly two weeks, and the new blue paint is starting to peel.
Experts say the algae problem is likely a product of Mother Nature. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said something more heinous was afoot and those responsible would be held accountable.
Here’s what we know about the “vandalism” charges and arrests related to Reflecting Pool.
President Trump’s ‘subversive’ suspect arrested
On June 19, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that, without providing evidence, vandals poured an unknown chemical into the Reflecting Pool in an attempt to “destroy and degrade our beautiful works.”
“We have cleaned, renovated, and beautified 45 monuments and monuments, 28 statues, and 22 fountains in Washington, D.C. Things are much better in our capital,” the Truth Social post said. “However, the beautiful reflecting pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is experiencing serious problems due to vandalism.”
The next day, the president doubled down, adding that many of the suspected vandals had been arrested.
President Trump said on Truth Social on June 20: “What these horrible vandals did was a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly.” It went on to say that “more people have been arrested” in connection with the “disgraceful act of vandalism at our beautiful reflecting pool”.
On June 21, President Trump personally visited the Reflecting Pool and said it had been “severely vandalized” and called those allegedly responsible “sick and deranged people.”
“Work will begin immediately to repair the severely damaged reflecting pool. I just inspected it and all I could say to myself and those gathered around me is: Who would do that? Sick, crazy people! Will we fix it?” President Trump wrote after the visit.
What we know about the arrest
As of June 21, the identity of one person arrested has been known.
Former Olympic canoeist David Hahn was arrested by U.S. Park Police on June 19 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property, The Washington Post first reported. Hahn did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s June 21 request to speak.
Hahn told the Post that he was able to reach into the reflecting pool and “grasp” the edge of the “floating debris” but was unable to remove it.
“I didn’t destroy anything,” the 67-year-old told the magazine. “I didn’t break anything, break anything, or strip anything. By the time I realized what was happening, I was handcuffed.”
U.S. Park Police did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. When asked what they knew about the arrest, D.C. Metro Police told USA TODAY to contact the U.S. Park Police.
It is unclear who else was arrested besides Hahn or what charges they are facing. President Trump said law enforcement is currently investigating.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment on the arrest charges.
“Anyone in a position to destroy or attempt to destroy a reflecting pool will face the criminal justice system in Washington, D.C.,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told Peter Doocy on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing.”
Pirro did not comment on the arrests or say anyone had been arrested, but said there were several citations related to Reflecting Pool and that those citations would be prosecuted in full.
A Reuters photographer captured a U.S. park police officer issuing a citation to a 17-year-old boy who allegedly took paint from a pool.
“If more serious products are put into the reflecting pool, and more algae or larger problems occur, we will consider additional charges,” Pirro added.
Vandalism or nature?
Although President Trump has blamed the problem on vandals, large algae blooms in reflecting pools are nothing new.
Historical records indicate that algae has been a recurring problem in the pool, likely over several decades during the pool’s existence. USA TODAY previously reported that the pool underwent a $34 million renovation in 2012, and about a week after it filled, the water turned into a “sea of disgusting algae.” At the end closest to the World War II Memorial, workers could be seen skimming the surface of the pool.
Algae blooms have plagued “every pool that has reopened since 1922,” according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by the Interior Department.
Contributors: Michelle Diehl Zimmerman, Dinah Voyles Pulver / USA TODAY
Drew Pittock covers trending news from around the country for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.
