--- title: Trump Admin Blames Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems description: The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the newly renovated reflecting pool after its paint appeared to peel off and algae bloomed. canonical: https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/ author: Miranda Jeyaretnam article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-06-22T11:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-06-24T07:45:30.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Trump Admin Blames Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems og:description: The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the newly renovated reflecting pool after its paint appeared to peel off and algae bloomed. og:url: https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5d464b616f810a97/6a39149474124c0bdfd60c05/reflecting_pool_clean_up.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: reflecting pool clean up.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Trump Admin Blames Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems twitter:description: The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the newly renovated reflecting pool after its paint appeared to peel off and algae bloomed. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5d464b616f810a97/6a39149474124c0bdfd60c05/reflecting_pool_clean_up.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Trump Admin Blames and Arrests Alleged Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems ## Video: U.S. Olympic Canoeist David Hearn Pleads Not Guilty to Reflecting Pool Damage After Trump Alleged Vandalism [Watch (HLS stream): U.S. Olympic Canoeist David Hearn Pleads Not Guilty to Reflecting Pool Damage After Trump Alleged Vandalism](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/SlADr7Zb.m3u8) (0:59)  _Published 2026-07-09. A former Olympic canoe racer pleaded not guilty on Thursday to deliberately damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, entered the plea through one of his attorneys during his initial appearance in D.C. Superior Court. Hearn, who competed in three Summer Olympics, was indicted on July 2 on a single felony count of property destruction. President Donald Trump on June 21 blamed vandalism for issues with the pool, which reopened on June 6 after over $16 million of renovations to make the pool appear “American flag blue.” The pool’s new blue paint appeared to be peeling off less than two weeks after its completion, and the pool has been plagued by an algae bloom that gave the water a green tint._  by [Miranda Jeyaretnam](https://time.com/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/)  ## Miranda Jeyaretnam Reporter Updated: Jun 24, 2026 7:45 AM UTCPublished: Jun 22, 2026 11:00 AM UTC  by [Miranda Jeyaretnam](https://time.com/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/)  ## Miranda Jeyaretnam Reporter Updated: Jun 24, 2026 7:45 AM UTCPublished: Jun 22, 2026 11:00 AM UTC President Donald Trump’s Administration said that multiple people have been arrested for allegedly vandalizing the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and that vandals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Trump on Sunday blamed vandalism for recent issues with the pool, which reopened on June 6 after over $16 million of renovations to make the pool appear “American flag blue.” The pool’s new blue paint appeared to be peeling off less than two weeks after its completion, and the pool has been plagued by an algae bloom that gave the water a green tint. On Saturday, Trump said that vandals had poured corrosive chemicals into the pool. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told [Fox News](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GTNueMFBDE) on Sunday that citations for vandalism have already been issued. Pirro said that if anyone was found to have added products to the pool to generate the algae, they could face more severe charges. “Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool,” Trump [posted](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116790016615762850) on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon. “I just inspected it, and could only say to myself, and those gathered around me, WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE! We will fix it?” The 2000-foot-long rectangular pool was drained and refinished in a renovation project that began in April as part of Trump’s effort to “beautify” the U.S. capital ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. The effort has also involved the [demolition of the East Wing of the White House](https://time.com/7327200/trump-white-house-ballroom-east-wing-demolition/) in order to [construct](https://time.com/article/2026/05/06/trump-s-white-house-ballroom-keeps-growing-in-size-and-cost/) a [$250 million ballroom](https://time.com/7327752/trump-white-house-ballroom-funding-donors/), although the project [faced setbacks in Congress](https://time.com/article/2026/06/05/republicans-vote-to-block-trump-white-house-ballroom/) and in court despite Trump’s argument that the renovation is [necessary for security reasons](https://time.com/article/2026/04/28/trump-white-house-ballroom-WHCA-shooting/). The Trump Administration also unveiled plans to build a [massive new arch](https://time.com/article/2026/04/11/how-trump-s-proposed-triumphal-arch-stacks-up-against-others-around-the-world/) near Arlington National Cemetery, dubbed [‘Arc de Trump.’](https://time.com/7326081/trump-president-arch-washington-project-construction/) U.S. Olympic Canoeist David Hearn Pleads Not Guilty to Reflecting Pool Damage After Trump Alleged Vandalism The President’s remaking of Washington, D.C., has been [criticized](https://time.com/article/2026/05/28/trump-arch-plans-democrat-legislation-construction-projects-backlash/) for bypassing established preservation processes, including public consultation, and using taxpayer funds to alter historic landmarks. Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about the [awarding of a $1.74 million no-bid contract](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/us/politics/trump-donor-contract-reflecting-pool.html) to Greenwater Services for installing an upgraded filtration system. The business is owned by a trust led by John J. Cafaro, a donor to Trump’s campaign. [ABC](https://abcnews.com/US/reflecting-pool-renovations-cost-16-million/story?id=134024265) also reported that Atlantic Industrial Coatings was awarded an additional two payments totalling $1.54 million after the renovation project’s scheduled completion date, bringing the total to around $14.65 million for repainting. Contracting documents described the work as “PAINT LINCOLN REFLECTING POOL,” and said it was within the scope of the original agreement. The Trump Administration has also faced backlash for other commemorative plans for the country’s semiquincentennial, including potentially placing Trump’s image on a [gold coin](https://time.com/article/2026/03/20/trump-gold-coin-250th-anniversary-commemorative-king-living-person-tradition/), [paper money](https://time.com/article/2026/05/29/trump-250-dollar-bill-treasury-currency-congress-semiquincentennial/), and [passports](https://time.com/article/2026/04/29/trump-us-passports-face-limited-edition-democrats-backlash/). A Trump Administration official told TIME that five individuals had been arrested for vandalism and five others were issued federal citations as of Saturday night. ## Former Olympian among ‘multiple’ arrested Three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn was arrested on Friday after touching a strip of rubbery material in the pool, the [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d26051vv2o) reported. The 67-year-old former slalom canoeist said the rubber appeared to have “delaminated” from the bottom of the pool. U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops stopped Hearn and handcuffed him, a video [posted](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6398982050112) online showed. Hearn denied any wrongdoing and said that he did not “destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the paint. Hearn said he was released on Friday night after being detained for five hours, and faces a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property. “It’s pretty clear that somebody high up decided to make an example of me,” Hearn said. Trump [shared](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116784267172845354) on social media an article about Hearn’s arrest. Several other people were also arrested for allegedly damaging the pool, Trump said in another post. “The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool. Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments,” Trump [posted](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116784751146148991) on Saturday. “Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair.” Prior to the alleged vandalism, which Trump [said](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116785296448420208) included a 250-foot cut into the pool’s facade, the newly opened pool “worked perfectly, including the mirror like finish, perfectly reflecting the two Great Monuments, which it never had before!”  National Park Service employees and contractors use vacuums to remove green algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2026. Trump began placing the blame for the pool’s recent problems on vandalism on Friday. “We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial,” Trump [posted](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116779961376108129) on Friday. “Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed. No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.” Trump also accused ABC reporter Jonathan Karl of “trying to rip the rubber off of the surface.” Karl had lifted up what appeared to be a piece of paint that peeled off while [visiting the pool](https://x.com/GMA/status/2067930071956893929?s=20) for an [ABC report](https://abcnews.com/Politics/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-liner-appears-falling-apart/story?id=134002251) last week. Prominent MAGA influencers had [pointed to the possibility](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZi0tMIucaz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) of “vandalism” and “sabotage” soon after the algal bloom emerged. ## Algae a persistent problem in the pool Scientists, however, have said that the pool’s conditions, especially during the summer, make it only natural for algae to bloom. That’s especially true after renovations, which could have affected the balance of nutrients in the pool, Rosalina Stancheva Christova, a professor of aquatic ecology at Virginia’s George Mason University, told [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/19/nx-s1-5863044/dc-reflecting-pool-algae-green-trump). The darker interior in the pool also absorbs more sunlight, making the water warmer and more likely to lead to algae growth, she added. The algae found in the pool, belonging to the genus _Desmodesmus_, is not toxic or harmful, she said. The Trump Administration previously told [CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/10/politics/algae-reflecting-pool-trump) the algal bloom was an expected “part of the normal start-up process” because residual algae had been lying dormant in the pool’s supply lines while the pool underwent construction. Algae has been a recurrent problem for the reflecting pool since it opened, and previous fixes have been short-lived. The Barack Obama Administration oversaw a major $34 million renovation of the reflecting pool between 2010 and 2012 in an effort to stop the pool from leaking and install a filtration system to neutralize the algae. The pool was also made shallower to save water and the bottom was tinted gray to make it appear more reflective. But algae eventually resurfaced and some leaking continued, according to the [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-reflecting-pool-renovations-obama-biden-millions-c261ebc9898149002bb384a084e49b27). The installation of an upgraded nanobubbler filtration system, [costing $1.7 million](https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT%5FAWD%5F140P2026C0031%5F1443%5F-NONE-%5F-NONE-), was meant to prevent algae growth by cutting off its food supply. The Department of the Interior [posted](https://x.com/interiorpress47/status/2067436655523369239) on X last week that “the advanced nanobubbler technology very effectively killed the algae that has plagued every Lincoln Reflecting Pool reopening—most infamously Obama’s reopening—since 1922.” “The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear, and our National Park Service team is now vacuuming up the dead algae resting on the bottom of some parts of the Reflecting Pool—just like the destroyed Iranian Navy resting on the bottom of the Persian Gulf,” the department said. ## Reflecting pool back under repair, potentially raising costs The reflecting pool has already undergone further repair efforts after the recent problems emerged since it was refilled and reopened in early June. Last week, National Park Service workers began pouring hydrogen peroxide ​into the pool to treat the algal bloom. Trump said in his Friday post that the algae is “75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied.” He added that the “area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week.” On Saturday, however, Trump said the pool would likely need to be drained, although he said the repair would be “done as quickly as possible.” ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/"},"headline":"Trump Admin Blames and Arrests Alleged Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems","datePublished":"2026-06-22T11:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-06-24T07:45:30.000Z","description":"The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the newly renovated reflecting pool after its paint appeared to peel off and algae bloomed.","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/","keywords":["Donald Trump","News Desk","overnight"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5d464b616f810a97/6a39149474124c0bdfd60c05/reflecting_pool_clean_up.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Miranda Jeyaretnam","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5d464b616f810a97/6a39149474124c0bdfd60c05/reflecting_pool_clean_up.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"reflecting pool clean up.jpg","caption":"","creditText":"Aaron Schwartz—Bloomberg/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/donald-trump/","name":"Donald Trump"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/","name":"Trump Admin Blames and Arrests Alleged Vandals for Reflecting Pool Problems"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Repair Problems at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool","description":"The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the newly renovated reflecting pool after its paint appeared to peel off and algae bloomed.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1l9kM5ee/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2026-07-08T20:20:44.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/1l9kM5ee.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/","duration":"PT1M23S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-vandalism-algae-paint-trump-admin/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"U.S. Olympic Canoeist David Hearn Pleads Not Guilty to Reflecting Pool Damage After Trump Alleged Vandalism","description":"A former Olympic canoe racer pleaded not guilty on Thursday to deliberately damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 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