Reflecting Pool repairs become personal for Trump
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Workers use vacuums to remove algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. Photo: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images
President Trump on Sunday ordered immediate repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after alleging vandalism had damaged the recently renovated landmark.
Why it matters: Trump's direct intervention elevates a maintenance dispute at a national landmark into a public test of a high-profile renovation project.
- The president said on Truth Social Sunday he had personally inspected the damage. A day earlier, he wrote he had met with contractors because much of the pool will probably have to be drained for "necessary repairs."
By the numbers: Initial work at the site cost an estimated $14 million.
- The New York Times reported last week that a no-bid $1.7 million contract was awarded in the spring to a firm tied to a contractor named John "JJ" Cafaro to install a water-purification system.
- Cafaro is an Ohio businessman and longtime Trump donor, who was convicted in 2002 in a conspiracy-to-bribe case involving a U.S. congressman, and again in 2010 for making a false statement.
State of play: Trump announced last November plans to "fix" the 2,000-foot-long pool, including painting it "American flag blue" ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations on July 4.
- Workers refilled the pool and completed renovations by June 5, but days later algae turned the water green — a recurring problem at the landmark.
- Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday that multiple people had been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism of the pool.
- Olympian David Hearn told the Washington Post he was among those arrested, but the 67-year-old said he didn't vandalize, "destroy or break or peel anything." He said he just wanted to touch part of the new blue liner that had detached from the bottom of the pool.
Zoom in: Trump alleged vandals had used "form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash" into its facade.
- "They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool," he alleged, without providing evidence of either allegation.
- The National Park Service has poured hydrogen peroxide into the pool to treat the algae, which the Wall Street Journal notes can be used as a paint remover.
What they're saying: An administration official said five people had been arrested; five others received federal citations, and 14 police reports were filed in connection with alleged vandalism at the pool — including one related to Trump's allegation that someone slashed the pool liner.
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said on Fox News Sunday that anyone found vandalizing the pool would be prosecuted.
- "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 serious charges," Pirro told "The Sunday Briefing" host Peter Doocy.
- "But make no mistake, making D.C. beautiful is a priority. And if you damage, vandalize or do anything to impact something like the reflective pool, you can be prosecuted."
- Representatives for the U.S. Park Police did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional comment.
