President Trump said that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized, comments that come on the heels of an algae bloom and peeling paint after the more than $14 million renovation.
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He said via Truth Social on Friday evening that “we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool.”
Mr. Trump referred to the numbers “86 47” being etched into the grass on the National Mall — a political phrase used as a protest slogan against Mr. Trump using slang that means to “get rid of” the 47th president of the U.S.
“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,” the president said. “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.”
The blue coating at the bottom of the pool was seen peeling off and floating to the green-tinted, algae-ridden surface of the pool less than two weeks after the multimillion-dollar restoration was completed.
Thin flaps of what appears to be either blue paint or sealant floating were seen bobbing on the pool’s surface, which had been hit with an algae growth just days before.
The National Park Service began combating the bloom by pouring in containers of 12% hydrogen peroxide, using nanobubble ozone technology and physically removing it.
Mr. Trump said that the algae is 75% gone, and “the condition will soon be completely remedied.”
The president’s project was meant to present visitors with “American flag blue” water, has instead the historical pool has been plagued by algae growth, peeling material and, according to Mr. Trump, an unknown bad actor.
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He added that the area that was vandalized is “just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week.”
“It’s a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so,” Mr. Trump added. “Law Enforcement is actively investigating this situation, and will hopefully have it resolved soon.”
Images posted to social media showed National Guard and U.S. Park Police officers patrolling the area Friday.
Independent journalist Emily Miller said Friday afternoon that someone had jumped into the pool and cut out a piece of the blue sealant before being arrested by police.
Another video shared Friday by Ms. Miller showed a cyclist speaking with National Guard personnel on the outskirts of the pool and being handcuffed by park police officers.
She claimed that the man was arrested for vandalizing the pool, having allegedly grabbed the hose that National Park Service workers were using to clear the algae.
A follow-up post by Ms. Miller said that he was arrested for a traffic violation, and police asked the cyclist if he stops at red lights.
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The Washington Times has reached out to the U.S. Park Police for comment.
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