Trump Orders Reflecting Pool Repair After Peeling Paint Incident

President Donald Trump announced that the Reflecting Pool at the White House would be drained and undergo a new rehabilitation after a blue coating applied to its bottom began to peel away, a problem linked to an algal bloom that turned the water green. Trump blamed vandals for the damage, and federal authorities increased patrols around the pool, issuing citations and making arrests, including Olympic cyclist David Hearn, who reported feeling a piece of the peeling surface. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said her office would fully prosecute any vandalism cases and even considered charging ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl for touching the paint during a broadcast. A no‑bid contract to clean the pool was awarded to Greenwater Services, an Ohio firm connected to Trump donor John J. Cafaro.