Trump Blames Vandalism for Reflecting Pool Woes Without Evidence
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that federal authorities had made “multiple arrests” of individuals he accused of vandalising the Reflecting Pool, as his administration faced criticism over the troubled renovation of the iconic Washington landmark. The $14-million-plus rehabilitation project, launched for the nation's 250th anniversary, has been beset by problems including algae blooms and peeling paint.
Mr. Trump claimed his predecessors had let the pool turn an algae-stained green and that he had ordered it lined with “American flag blue” to better reflect the Washington Monument. However, after the new pool was unveiled, its blue tinge quickly turned green again. Workers treated the water with chemicals to kill the algae, but the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.
On Friday night, Mr. Trump posted on social media about the pool. “We've had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool. 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,” he said. He offered no details to substantiate his claim.
Agencies responsible for law enforcement and upkeep on the National Mall – the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department – did not respond to requests for comment.
Mr. Trump followed up on Saturday by saying Park Police “have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nation’s magnificent Reflecting Poll,” misspelling “Pool.” He added, “Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail!”
One man arrested was David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, who owns a company that makes composite materials for watercraft. Mr. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, told The Associated Press that he stopped by the pool during his 64-mile bike ride on Friday to see what was going on. He said he reached into the pool to examine the peeling new coating, briefly touching a chunk still attached to the side before a park worker told him to stop. He was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released Friday night.
“I'm a curious citizen,” Mr. Hearn said in a telephone interview. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.” The Washington Post first reported his arrest. Mr. Hearn said he has a court date next month and is seeking legal help.
Even if someone pulled ribbons of paint from the side of the pool, it would not explain the clouds of algae in green water and swaths of loose blue paint detached from the bottom. Mr. Trump insisted something nefarious has been going on at the scene. “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,” he posted Friday evening.
That appeared to reference the discovery of large numbers etched in discolored grass on the National Mall the week before: “86 47”. Authorities said the numbers could have been meant as a threat to Trump, the 47th president, as “86” is slang for “getting rid of.” They are investigating. Mr. Trump's claims came after days of negative attention to the state of the pool, which has drawn television cameras and curious onlookers.
