A employee vacuums algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after current renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to color it blue forward of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S. on June 21, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Folks caught vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s Nationwide Mall can be totally prosecuted, U.S. Lawyer Jeanine Pirro stated on Sunday (June 21, 2026).
President Donald Trump has blamed vandalism for current issues with the newly renovated pool, together with its new blue paint peeling off. Citations for vandalism have been issued, Pirro stated on Sunday, including that even minor crimes should be prosecuted to maintain the U.S. capital secure.
The peeling paint was seen within the 2,000-foot-long rectangular pool, a serious nationwide landmark, lower than two weeks after Trump declared its $14.7 million renovation undertaking accomplished on June 6. Mr. Trump on Saturday (June 20, 2026) claimed, with out offering proof, that vandals poured corrosive chemical substances into the pool.
“Anybody who’s able of vandalizing or trying to vandalize will face the prison justice system in D.C.,” Pirro advised Fox Information’ “Sunday Briefing” program. In a Reality Social submit on Sunday (June 21, 2026), Mr. Trump blamed “sick” and “deranged” individuals for the present state of the “significantly vandalized” pool. He had beforehand posted that the pool will be drained for repairs. The pool has additionally suffered an algae bloom that makes the water look inexperienced. These including merchandise to the pool that may generate algae might face extra extreme expenses, Pirro stated.
Employees from the Nationwide Park Service earlier this week poured hydrogen peroxide into the pool to fight the algae.
Mr. Trump first introduced up allegations of vandalism on Friday, when he posted on social media that 75% of the algae is gone. He additionally accused ABC Information journalist Jonathan Karl of “attempting to tear the rubber off of the floor” of the pool. ABC didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Printed – June 22, 2026 04:41 am IST