Reflecting Pool will be drained again
Crews clean up algae that began to grow in the Reflecting Pool days after the Trump administration's at least $13 million renovation project that repainted the surface.
A 17-year-old is detained and cited Sunday for what police said was taking a piece of paint from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.
WASHINGTON — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington's National Mall will be drained again for repairs just weeks after a $14.7 million renovation, local media reported Monday, as President Donald Trump warned alleged vandals face prison time.
The DC Water authority issued a permit to drain the 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool, Washington-based WTOP Radio reported, while the repair company said it would fix the pool as part of its warranty.
The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Peeling paint and algae growth have been visible in the pool since soon after Trump declared the renovation project complete June 6. Concerns were raised about the no-bid contract to recoat the pool ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations next month, as well as for the ducks that use its water.
Trump blames vandals
Trump, without evidence, blamed vandals for the state of the landmark. On Monday, he echoed a weekend threat by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to prosecute people accused of attempting to destroy the pool.
"Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced!" Trump earlier wrote in a social media post. Destruction of federal property can carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Trump told reporters on Monday that the pool "looks very good." He accused someone of putting fertilizer in the water or taking action to create the algae, without providing evidence, adding that the algae was now dead and would be vacuumed out of the pool.
Trump also said there was a 290-to-300-foot "slit" through the pool, which he claimed was likely caused by a box cutter or knife of some kind.
"It's not a lot of damage, but … we'll probably have to let the water out and re-fix it. They went in there with a knife," he said. "I was just told by the people over at Parks, they have five people are arrested and five people are under investigation right now."
At least five people have been arrested, including a former Olympian who publicly denied the charges, while five others were issued citations, according to media reports citing an administration official. The U.S. Park Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company responsible for the renovation work, Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings, said Sunday the areas that required repairs made up "a very small part of the massive 7-acre project, and do not indicate a failure of the liner."
