SouthernWorldwide.com – Crews commenced draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Friday as the Trump administration initiated another phase of repairs following the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
These latest repairs follow issues that surfaced shortly after the initial restoration project was concluded the previous month. President Donald Trump largely attributed these problems to vandalism.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose department oversees the National Park Service (NPS), informed conservative podcaster Katie Miller this week that the current round of work had been pre-planned. He also stated that crews needed to clear debris left from the Fourth of July fireworks celebration on the National Mall.
Burgum remarked, “Drain the water, clean up the fireworks stuff. Repair the vandalism that was done. Fill it back up again.”
Earlier this year, Trump had ordered the restoration project as part of his initiative to refurbish the landmark in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The project subsequently encountered an algae bloom, and portions of the new blue coating began to peel from the pool’s bottom.
Trump had previously declared victory over the algae, sharing images on Truth Social that depicted the Reflecting Pool and its reflection appearing clear and blue.
Court records had previously indicated that the National Park Service intended to drain the pool again after the July Fourth celebrations to address damage that authorities attributed to vandalism.
According to court documents, U.S. Park Police responded to a report of damage at the Reflecting Pool on June 9. Investigators stated that caulk had been applied over foam sealant that had been cut with a “sharp knife or razor.” The newly applied surface coating had sustained damage, and approximately 70 fence post caps had been discarded into the pool.
Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of damaging the recently renovated Reflecting Pool.
Hearn was indicted the previous week on a felony charge of destruction of property following his arrest on charges related to an incident at the pool on June 19. He has denied damaging the Reflecting Pool, explaining that he stopped during a bike ride and touched a loose piece of the peeling blue coating “to satisfy my curiosity as a citizen.”
In addition to Hearn, at least three other individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of the Reflecting Pool’s coating, according to online court records. All three entered not guilty pleas during their initial court appearances on Wednesday.
