Donald Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has turned into a soap opera. Five people are said to have been arrested; however, the Trump administration has not wanted to release any evidence of people vandalizing the pool. Now, the president has made a shocking claim, saying individuals that tries to destroy the pool can face 10 years in prison.
The statement comes just weeks after the landmark underwent a staggering $14.7 million renovation, and even before that, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool made headlines when one company, whose owner is a longtime supporter and donor to President Trump, was awarded a no-bid contract, sparking widespread criticism.
Soon after the work was completed, algae began spreading through the water, and sections of the newly applied coating started peeling away.
Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for the problems, claiming that chemicals were poured into the pool and that someone cut a large gash into its surface. He has not provided evidence to support those allegations.
On Monday, the president continued to blame alleged vandalism for the problems, telling reporters that someone had sliced a “350-foot slit” in the pool’s lining with what he described as “a box cutter or some kind of knife.” Some days ago, he said it was only 250 feet,
“I saw it. They cut it. They cut it very violently,” Trump said. “The same thing with the floor. They cut it and then they lifted it. They pulled it, and that’s what it is.”
“14 police reports” over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ‘vandalism’
In a statement, an Interior Department spokesperson said five people have been arrested, and five others have been issued federal citations.
“14 police reports have been filed for vandalism, including the crime described in the President’s Truth Social post,” the statement said. “The U.S. Park Police will continue to carry out their number one duty of upholding law and order in our nation’s capital.”
One of the people detained, former Olympian David Hearn, has denied wrongdoing. He said he was arrested after touching a piece of paint that had already peeled off the surface.
As of early Tuesday, neither the Interior Department nor the Trump administration has provided evidence that the pool lining had been cut. Still, the president says proof of the allegations will be provided in court.
The iconic pool, stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the most visited landmarks in the United States and is expected to undergo repairs in the coming days
The problems have become serious enough that the Reflecting Pool is expected to be drained once again so repairs can be carried out. The contractor responsible for the project has said the damaged areas are small and that the repairs will be covered under warranty.
Trump issues bombshell prison sentence threat over Reflecting Pool ‘vandalism’
Now, Donald Trump has doubled down on his claims of vandalism, threatening with harsh punishments.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!”
He continued, “Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — which will be fully enforced!”
The US attorney’s office has announced that it is still reviewing some of the citations issued over the weekend. However, no charges have been brought to court yet.
Speaking on Fox News this weekend, Jeanine Pirro, US Attorney for the District of Columbia, said those who vandalized or tried to vandalize the pool will “face the criminal justice system in DC.”
“There are several citations that have been handed out to individuals, and these are cases that will be prosecuted to the full extent,” she said, per CNN. “If there are more serious products that are put into the Reflecting Pool to create more algae or a bigger problem, then we’ll consider more serious charges.”
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