Allegations of Damage to Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
A senior official from the National Park Service (NPS) has stated that the liner at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was "cut with a sharp knife or razor" earlier this month, echoing former President Donald Trump's assertions of vandalism.
Frank Lands, deputy director for operations at NPS, made this claim in a court filing submitted on Wednesday as part of efforts to halt the ongoing renovation of the site by the US president.
According to the document, Lands reported that on 9 June, following the substantial completion of the Washington reflecting pool renovation project, US Park Service police responded to an NPS report concerning damage to the reflecting pool.
The filing details that the damage involved "a caulk over the foam sealant that was cut with a sharp knife or razor and destruction of delaminating surface material." Lands further noted that "approximately 70 fence post tops" were "thrown" into the water.
He added that the NPS "plans to begin draining the reflecting pool following the Independence Day celebration to conduct repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the lining."
Context of the Renovation and Subsequent Issues
This statement arises amid controversy surrounding Trump's $14.2 million renovation project of the reflecting pool, which was promoted as an initiative to turn the pool "American flag blue" in anticipation of the United States' 250th birthday celebrations.
Shortly after the renovation was completed, an algae bloom appeared in the pool, prompting deployment of NPS workers who were observed using skimmers and applying hydrogen peroxide to improve water quality. Subsequently, large flakes of the blue coating were seen peeling from the basin and floating on the water's surface.
Over the weekend, Trump attributed the issues to unidentified vandals. On Sunday, without providing additional details, he claimed that "multiple individuals" had been arrested by US park police for "vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Poll."
Arrest of David Hearn and Responses
David Hearn, a three-time US Olympian and canoeist, was arrested on Friday. Hearn denies the vandalism allegations and told reporters that after noticing a partly detached piece of the blue liner, he reached into the water to feel it. Moments later, he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.
Since then, Trump and the Department of the Interior have called for the release of photographic and video evidence supporting their claims of sabotage and vandalism at the pool. However, the administration has yet to provide any photos or videos substantiating Trump's allegations of a 350-foot "gash" through the site.
Findings from New York Times and Ongoing Investigation
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported on government documents it obtained, which showed that while NPS workers discovered two cuts in sections of foam located between the pool's expansion joints, these cuts were not directly related to the blue coating that is now peeling or to the algae bloom. The cause of the cuts remains unclear, according to the report.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the US park police announced that they were "seeking assistance in identifying the individual depicted here in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation." They stated that the alleged incident occurred on 19 June at the reflecting pool.
A video released alongside the statement shows a person reaching into the pool and appearing to pull something out.
