US President Donald Trump has said that repairs are underway at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, after what he described as damage caused by "vandals."
"The Reflecting Pool, so badly damaged by Deranged Vandals, has been emptied as the massive slash gets repaired," Trump said on Truth Social.
Trump added that the repairs were delayed until after the July 4th holiday weekend.
"What kind of animals would do such a thing? We are looking for a Vandal Proof material, but such a thing should not have been necessary," he said.
The president also said he hopes those responsible will face the "maximum" penalties.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which was recently renovated at a cost of approximately $16 million, has faced a series of issues, including algae buildup and peeling paint.
Trump has reiterated his claim that "vandalism" caused the damage, alleging that a long slit had been cut into the pool's lining.
Persistent maintenance struggles
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a 2,000-foot-long basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, was built in 1922 and 1923 as part of the Lincoln Memorial complex.
Designed to mirror the memorial, it became one of the capital's most recognisable landmarks. The shallow pool, with a maximum depth of about 30 inches, has long been plagued by leaks, algae growth and costly maintenance.
Over the years, the pool reportedly lost millions of gallons of water annually through leaks.
Between 2010 and 2012, during the Obama administration, the reflecting pool underwent a major $34 million to $35 million renovation.
Despite the overhaul, algae returned soon after the pool reopened, underscoring the engineering and environmental challenges of maintaining such a large, shallow body of water exposed to the elements.
In the spring of 2026, Trump ordered a fast-tracked renovation ahead of celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary.
The project included draining the pool, applying a polyurea waterproof coating tinted "American Flag Blue", and installing new water treatment technology.
Early estimates put the cost at between $1.5 million and $2 million, but federal contracts ultimately totalled about $16 million.
The pool was refilled in early June 2026, but fresh problems surfaced within days. Algae blooms turned the water green, while sections of the new blue coating began peeling away and floating on the surface.
The National Park Service later reported that caulk covering foam sealant had been cut with what appeared to be a sharp blade.
Officials also found debris in the pool, prompting a vandalism investigation, arrests and plans to drain the reflecting pool again after the Fourth of July for further repairs.
