Trump says Reflecting Pool 'vandals' are being arrested. What we know – USA Today
For nearly two weeks, the recently renovated Reflecting Pool on the National Mall has grown algae blooms, and its new blue paint also has begun to peel off.
Experts say the algae problem is likely a product of Mother Nature. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, says something more nefarious is afoot, and that those who are responsible will be held accountable.
Here’s what we know about the alleged “vandalism” and arrests tied to the Reflecting Pool.
On June 19, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying without providing evidence that vandals had poured an unknown chemical in the Reflecting Pool to “try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.”
“We’ve cleaned, renovated, and beautified over 45 Monuments and Memorials, 28 Statues and 22 Fountains in Washington, D.C. Things are looking really good in our Nation’s Capital,” the Truth Social post stated. “However, we’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial.”
A day later, the president doubled down, adding that many of the alleged vandals had been arrested.
“What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly,” Trump said on Truth Social June 20. He went on to say that “many additional people have been arrested” in connection to the “disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool.”
On June 21, Trump said he had personally visited the Reflecting Pool and described it as “seriously vandalized,” while calling those allegedly responsible “sick, deranged people.”
“Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool. I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it?” Trump wrote following his visit.
As of June 21, the identity of one person who was arrested has emerged.
David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, was arrested by U.S. Park Police on June 19 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property, the Washington Post first reported. Hearn did not immediately return USA TODAY’s request to speak on June 21.
Hearn told the Post he reached into the Reflecting Pool and was able to “grab” the end of a “flapping piece,” but didn’t remove it.
“I didn’t vandalize anything,” the 67-year-old told the outlet. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
U.S. Park Police did not return USA TODAY’s request for comment. When asked what they know about the arrests, D.C. Metro Police told USA TODAY to contact U.S. Park Police.
Aside from Hearn, it’s unclear who else has been arrested or what charges they might be facing. Trump said law enforcement is currently investigating.
The office of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment on the alleged arrests.
Speaking to Peter Doocy on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said that “anyone who is in a position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize the Reflecting Pool will face the criminal justice system in DC.”
Pirro stopped short of commenting on arrests, or saying anyone had been arrested, but did say several citations have been issued related to the Reflecting Pool, and that those citations will be prosecuted to the full extent.
A Reuters photographer captured a U.S. Park Police officer issuing a citation to a 17-year-old who allegedly took a piece of paint from the pool.
“If there are more serious products that are put into the Reflecting Pool to create more algae or a bigger problem, then we’ll consider more charges,” Pirro added.
While Trump has said the issues are the work of vandals, algae blooms in the Reflecting Pool are nothing new.
Historical records show algae has been a recurring issue in the pool for decades, possibly for much of its existence. After a $34 million renovation in 2012, the water turned into an “icky sea of algae” about a week after the pool was filled, USA TODAY previously reported. Workers were seen skimming the surface of the pool in the end nearest the World War II Memorial.
Algae blooms have plagued “every pool reopening since 1922,” according to a statement the Department of the Interior provided to USA TODAY.
Contributing: Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Dinah Voyles Pulver / USA TODAY
Drew Pittock covers national trending news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.
