Washington Reflective Pool Faces Repair After Alleged Vandalism

The Lincoln Memorial’s reflective pool in Washington, D.C., was refurbished at a cost of about $14 million and painted a deep “American‑flag blue.” Within days of reopening for the nation’s 250th‑anniversary celebrations, the water turned green from algae and the newly applied coating began to flake.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the damage was caused by vandals who “used chemicals and knives” to ruin the pool, saying, “We had serious problems with vandalism on the beautiful reflecting pool.” He said police were investigating and that several people, including former Olympian David Hearn, had been detained. The National Park Service responded by treating the water with hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble technology to reduce the algae, and it said further repairs may require draining the pool again.

Trump estimated the additional repair work would cost between $1.5 million and $2 million, contrasting with federal records that list the original renovation cost at $14 million. The episode has drawn criticism and speculation about possible political motivations, but officials emphasize that algae have long been a maintenance issue for the shallow basin.