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By Gabe Whisnant and Anna Commander
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President Donald Trump on Friday blamed “vandalism” for damage to the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as officials grapple with a persistent algae bloom and reports of peeling surface material.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump claimed unknown actors—as well as ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl—had interfered with the pool, which has drawn scrutiny after turning green just days after the multimillion-dollar overhaul.
The project, meant to deliver “American flag blue” water, has instead been plagued by algae growth and visible deterioration, with crews working to restore conditions as investigators probe alleged damage.
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Trump Reacts to Reflecting Pool Concerns, Promises Fixes
On Friday, Trump wrote that his administration has “cleaned, renovated, and beautified” dozens of sites across Washington, D.C., while touting what he described as improved public safety in the capital.
But he claimed recent damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the result of “real problems with vandalism,” alleging unknown individuals used chemicals and other methods to harm the newly installed surface and surrounding grounds.
Trump also took aim at Karl, claiming the reporter was seen “sticking his hand into the Pool” and “trying to rip the rubber off of the surface.”
The president added that the algae problem is “75 [percent] gone” and said the damage is limited and will be repaired “early next week,” noting law enforcement is investigating the incident.
Scott Jennings, former adviser to President George W. Bush, reacted to Trump's claims while speaking with CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Friday night, saying it is "absolutely true" that someone vandalized the grass.
"You have people that hate Donald Trump so much that they would go out and destroy our national monuments. Vandalize the Lincoln Memorial, vandalize the grass. That's how broken brained they are."
Jennings praised Trump for his efforts in cleaning up the nation's capital, adding, "I hope they get put in jail."
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Arrest Seen in New Video As National Guard Presence Emerges
Newly surfaced video circulating on social media appears to show U.S. Park Police detaining a man near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as officials continue to investigate alleged vandalism at the site.
In one clip, officers wearing “U.S. Park Police” insignia are seen placing a man in a cycling outfit in handcuffs beside a bike on the grass near the pool. Additional footage appears to show National Guard personnel standing nearby during the incident.
The video was shared by commentator Emily Miller, who claimed the individual had interfered with cleanup efforts by grabbing a hose being used by National Park Service workers to remove algae. Newsweek has not independently verified that account or the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Separate posts on social media also appear to show National Guard members stationed along the edge of the reflecting pool, with some users claiming the deployment is aimed at preventing further damage. The presence of Guard personnel comes after Trump said the site had been targeted by “vandals” attempting to sabotage the project.
The U.S. Park Police and the National Guard were both contacted by Newsweek for comment early on Saturday morning via email and website contact form, respectively.
Algae Bloom, Peeling Surface Raise Questions After Costly Renovation
The issues at the Reflecting Pool come just days after the completion of a more than $14 million renovation aimed at repainting the basin a darker blue and improving water quality ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. However, within days of the pool being refilled, algae rapidly spread across the surface, turning the water green and prompting an intensive cleanup effort by National Park Service crews.
Experts and officials have said such blooms are common in shallow, sun-exposed bodies of water like the reflecting pool, particularly during periods of heat, and can be difficult to fully prevent. Workers have deployed a range of treatments, including hydrogen peroxide and ozone-based filtration technology, in an effort to control the growth and restore clarity.
"I know every time you fill up any kind of body of water, whether it's a natural pond or a liner water feature, the minute you put fresh water into a stagnant situation, it's going to turn green," John Wilson Jr., president of Aqua Doc Lake and Pond based out of Cleveland, told Newsweek Thursday.
"You have no plants, probably they pumped in like city water, which added chlorine content to it, and once that precipitated out, then you have just basically water, and with sunlight, and just ideal conditions, and warming, you've got algae blooming. There's no bacteria, there's no balance in the ecosystem there."
The appearance of peeling material along parts of the pool’s floor has added to scrutiny of the project, with visitors and observers noting fragments of the coating visible in the water. Some tourists have reportedly handled or removed loose pieces, raising additional concerns about maintenance and durability in the early days following the renovation.
Administration officials have previously described the algae as part of a “normal startup process” tied to dormant supply lines and environmental conditions, even as crews continue round-the-clock efforts to address the discoloration ahead of major summer events on the National Mall.
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