Reflecting Pool may be drained again after President Trump pins paint issues on vandals – KOMO
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Temperatures could reach 90 degrees in some areas of western Washington early this week.
by Lianna Golden
WASHINGON (7News) — As crews fight growing algae and chipping paint now floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, President Donald Trump said it will likely have to be drained again to accommodate necessary repairs.
The president claims vandals are behind the ongoing issues, posting to Truth Social over the weekend:
Police said they arrested five people for vandalism and issued citations to five other people.
RELATED | Crews continue work to clean green algae from the newly repainted Reflecting Pool
One day before the reported arrests, 7News witnessed National Park Service crews using powerful underwater vacuums to suck up green algae that filled the reflecting pool.
Pieces of the "American flag blue" paint that was the focus of President Trump's recent renovation project have also been spotted floating in the water in recent days, as tourists question the eerie contents of the iconic pool.
ABC News reports that the cost of the project has gone up to $14.65 million, which is more than $4 million over the original estimate. In addition to that cost, earlier this year, the National Park Service paid a company $1.74 million for a “nano bubble” system to kill algae.
RELATED | SEE IT: Crews battle algae bloom, peeling paint in Reflecting Pool after $14M renovation
It's unclear when the pool could be drained again. The Great American State Fair begins on the National Mall on Thursday, June 25.
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