Trump Claims Vandalism Responsible for Issues at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

On Monday, President Trump stated that evidence will be presented in court to support his claim that vandals have damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He asserts that a massive slit in the pool, rather than poor workmanship, is causing the paint to peel on the recently renovated project.

During a conversation with CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe, Trump insisted that vandals are to blame for the problems following a $14.7 million sealant job. The President alleges that the vandals made a 350-foot cut in the pool between the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

The U.S. Park Police reported that five arrests have been made related to vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, along with five additional federal citations. However, neither the project’s management nor the U.S. Park Service have confirmed that a cut was the cause of the peeling issues.

Asked about proof, Trump replied, “Well, let’s put it this way, when you have a 350, I think it’s 350, not 250, when you have a 350-foot slit, from one end to the other, you think that’s proof?” O’Keefe reported that no evidence of a slit was found by reporters visiting the site.

Trump suggested consulting the Parks Department or Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to view the alleged cut, stating, “They cut it, they cut it very violently. The same thing with the floor, they cut it, and then they lifted it.” The president added, “We also have pictures.”

Despite repeated requests from O’Keefe for evidence, Trump maintained that proof would be revealed in court and advised contacting the Parks Department or the Department of Interior for more information.

Besides the slit, Trump suggested that fertilizer might have been placed in the water, contributing to the algae problems at the pool. He claimed, “If you put fertilizer in the water, you get algae. Somebody said they might have put fertilizer.” However, he did not provide evidence for this assertion.

CBS News reached out to the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior but has received no response. Atlantic Industrial Coatings, who secured a no-bid contract to install the sealant, mentioned that “some areas” require repairs. They stated, “These areas are a very small part of the massive 7-acre project and do not indicate a failure of the liner.” They added repairs will occur once the pool is drained.

Joe Walsh and Arden Farhi contributed to this report.