President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that federal authorities had made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool as he struggled to explain why the $14-million-plus rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary seemingly backfired.
Trump said his predecessors had let the pool turn an algae-stained green and that he’d line it with “American flag blue” so it better reflected the Washington Monument. But after the new pool was unveiled, its blue tinge quickly became a familiar green. Workers treated it with chemicals to kill the algae, but then the painted blue lining on the bottom began to peel.
On Friday night, Trump posted about the pool.
“We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool,” he posted on his social media site Friday night. “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 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. Trump on Saturday followed up by posting that Park Police “have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll,” correcting his spelling to “Pool” later.
He went on: “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 owned a company that made composite used to build watercraft. He said he stopped by the pool during his 64-mile bike ride Friday to see what was going on.
Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool because he wanted to examine the peeling new coating. He said he briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool, then let go shortly after a park worker told him to.
But, Hearn said, he was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released Friday night.
“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn said in a telephone interview. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.”
The Washington Post first reported Hearn’s arrest, and he said he has a date to appear in court next month and is looking for 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.
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 was an apparent reference to 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. The number 86 can be slang for “getting rid of.” They are investigating.
Trump’s claims came after days of negative attention to the state of the pool, which has drawn television cameras and curious onlookers.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that federal authorities had made « multiple arrests » in connection with vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, a centerpiece of his $14 million rehabilitation project aimed at celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Trump’s announcement came amid controversy and criticism over the pool’s apparent deterioration, which he attributed to neglect by his predecessors. He had envisioned the pool being lined with « American flag blue » to enhance its reflection of the Washington Monument, but after its unveiling, the pool quickly turned a greenish hue due to algae growth. Efforts to treat the water chemically did not prevent the blue lining from peeling.
On Friday night, Trump took to social media to express his concerns about vandalism at the pool. He claimed that the grass surrounding the pool had been destroyed and that there were efforts to damage the newly installed surface. However, he provided no specific evidence to support these assertions. In response to his claims, agencies responsible for maintaining the National Mall, such as the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service, did not respond to requests for comment.
The following day, Trump clarified his earlier statements, stating that Park Police had arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, later correcting his misspelling of « Pool. » He expressed outrage over the alleged crimes, suggesting they were serious offenses against national monuments that could warrant years in prison.
One of the arrested individuals was 67-year-old David Hearn from Bethesda, Maryland. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer and a business owner specializing in composite materials, claimed he had only touched the peeling coating while inspecting it during a bike ride. According to Hearn, he was detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for approximately five hours before being released. He described himself as a « curious citizen » merely trying to understand the condition of the pool.
Despite Hearn’s account, the broader issues with the Reflecting Pool’s condition raised questions about the extent of the alleged vandalism. Reports indicated that even if individuals had tampered with the paint, it would not account for the visible algae and loose paint already present in the water. Trump continued to suggest that there were malicious intentions behind the pool’s deterioration, drawing parallels to recent vandalism on the National Mall where the numbers « 86 47 » were found etched into the grass. Authorities are investigating these markings, which could imply a threat against Trump related to his presidency.
Trump’s comments followed an ongoing wave of negative attention directed at the state of the Reflecting Pool, which had attracted media coverage and public curiosity. The situation has placed additional scrutiny on the management and maintenance of iconic national landmarks, alongside Trump’s ambitious restoration efforts.
In summary, Trump’s announcement about vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, along with subsequent arrests, highlighted the challenges facing the $14 million renovation project. The mixed reception of the project’s outcome, coupled with the allegations of vandalism, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the pool’s future and the motivations behind the claims of sabotage.
