White House officials say at least five people have been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been plagued by algae growth following a Trump administration restoration project.
The arrests came after President Donald Trump’s team completed a $14.8 million restoration of the Reflecting Pool, only to see algae develop in the water. The Trump administration has alleged that critics deliberately sabotaged the project, citing illegal chemical dumping and physical damage to the pool’s structure.
What Officials Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt discussed the situation during a Fox News appearance, stating that authorities have filed 14 police reports related to the alleged vandalism. “It’s unbelievable to see these people, these deranged leftists, in algae costumes with ‘team algae’ on their backs,” Leavitt told host Sean Hannity.
Leavitt, who recently returned from maternity leave, emphasized the administration’s commitment to the project. “The president approved this. He promised that he was going to make our nation’s capital both safe and beautiful again, and it is a promise that he has kept,” she said.
The Arrests and Allegations
Among those arrested was David “Davey” Hearn, a former U.S. Olympic canoeist, who told NBC News he was detained for five hours on Friday after touching detached coating at the pool.
President Trump alleged in a Truth Social post that “chemicals have been dumped illegally into the water” and claimed the pool sustained significant structural damage. “The Reflecting Pool has been torn open with a 300-foot-long gash,” Trump wrote, later telling reporters it measured 350 feet.
Trump warned of legal consequences for those involved, citing a 10-year prison sentence for destruction of federal property. “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!” he wrote.
Next Steps
Trump said over the weekend that the Reflecting Pool will likely need to be drained again following an inspection at Camp David with contractors.
Democratic lawmakers and Washington residents have raised concerns about the situation. Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell said during a CNN appearance that her constituents are “outraged” by the algae problem.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
