Six Arrested for Alleged Reflecting Pool Damage, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said that six people have been arrested for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool, which has been plagued by algae and peeling paint after a renovation that he directed.

The nature of the charges were not clear and law enforcement has yet to confirm or announce the full scope of the arrests. Trump posted Tuesday on social media that seven people also “have been cited” for incidents involving the iconic pool. In the past few days, chunks of the “American Flag Blue” coating have been seen peeling away from the basin, with some floating in the water while workers have treated for algae.

Trump has repeatedly blamed vandalism for the deteriorating condition of the pool, but has offered little substantiation of his claims. In his post, Trump said that a “350 foot gash, made by a very sharp knife or razors” was “purposefully and criminally done,” without citing evidence. Trump initially said the supposed “gash” was 250 feet.

Authorities last week arrested a former US Olympian after he touched a piece of the blue coating. The man, David Hearn, told ABC News that he “did not damage” any part of the pool but was instead checking its condition as a “concerned citizen.”

Chipped paint and algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after it was painted blue in Washington on June 22.

Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg

Trump said that water would be drained from the pool “either immediately before or after” July 4 celebrations “to do the permanent repair.”

Earlier: Trump Plans Swim Coating for Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The poor condition of the pool has been a black eye for Trump, who launched a roughly $14 million rehabilitation project ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump criticized his predecessors for letting the pool fall into disrepair and ordered it to be lined with a blue coating designed to prevent leaks.

During the work, Trump expressed enthusiasm about the overhaul, speaking about it frequently during meetings in the Oval Office, speeches, social media posts and television interviews. It is one of several high-profile construction projects Trump has undertaken in Washington since taking office, as he seeks to put his stamp on the nation’s capital.

But shortly after the pool was unveiled, its water turned green with algae. Workers treated the water with hydrogen peroxide but soon afterward, the painted lining began to peel from the bottom of the pool.

A worker removes algae and debris from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after it was painted blue in Washington on June 15.

Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg

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