Trump says vandal behind problems at restored Reflecting Pool, says multiple arrests, warns of ‘years in prison’ | Today’s news
President Donald Trump said Saturday that federal authorities had made “multiple arrests” related to alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool as he faced questions about problems with a more than $14 million restoration project that began in preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Trump mentioned that previous administrations had allowed the pool to deteriorate and become stained with algae. As part of the renovation, he ordered the pool to be covered in what he described as “American flag blue” to enhance its reflection of the Washington Monument. However, shortly after reopening, the water regained its green hue. Efforts to eliminate the algae with chemical treatment were followed by another setback when the blue coating applied to the bottom of the pool began to peel off.
“We’ve had some real problems with vandalism in the beautiful Reflecting Pool. Like three days ago they destroyed the grass outside the Pool and also did everything they could to damage the interior surface that was just being installed,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump has provided no evidence to support his claim.
The agencies responsible for policing and maintaining the National Mall, the US Park Police, the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior did not immediately comment on the matter. Later on Saturday, Trump posted that the Park Police had “arrested several individuals for vandalizing our beautiful Nations survey,” before subsequently correcting the spelling to “Pool.”
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He added: “Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes involving the destruction of national monuments. Years in prison!”
Among those arrested was David Hearn, a 67-year-old resident of Bethesda, Maryland, and owner of a company that makes composite materials used in shipbuilding. Hearn said he stopped by the Reflecting Pool during a 64-mile bike ride Friday to observe the situation.
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Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, told the AP that he reached into the Reflecting Pool to check on the newly applied coating after he noticed it was peeling. According to Hearn, he briefly touched the part that remained attached to the side of the pool and immediately let go after a park employee gave it to him.
But members of the National Guard and U.S. Park Police detained him for about five hours before releasing him Friday night, he said.
“I’m a curious citizen. I reached down to see what it was like. It was very rubbery,” Hearn said in a phone interview.
The Washington Post was the first to report on the arrest. Hearn said he is due in court next month and is seeking legal representation.
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Even if an individual had removed the streaks of paint from the side of the pool, that alone would not explain the green algae-filled water or the large areas of blue coating that had already separated from the bottom of the pool.
Trump claimed that there may have been deliberate sabotage at the Reflecting Pool. In a post Friday night, he wrote: “In nothing but the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar at the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.
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The comment appeared to refer to the discovery of large numbers carved into a discolored patch of grass on the National Mall last week that read “86 47.” Officials said the message may have been intended as a threat to Trump, the 47th president, because the number 86 is sometimes used as slang for “getting rid of” someone. Authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Trump’s remarks followed several days of adverse publicity regarding the condition of the Reflecting Pool, which attracted widespread attention from television crews and members of the public.
