The Trump administration says multiple people have been arrested over alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall. President Donald Trump attributes recent problems with the newly renovated $14 million pool to sabotage and says U.S. Park Police have made “multiple” arrests. In reporting across outlets, one of the arrested individuals is identified as David Hearn, a former Olympian and cyclist, who was taken into custody after he allegedly touched the pool’s detached liner. Other people have also been arrested, with some reports citing five total arrests so far.
Separately, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro says people caught vandalising the Reflecting Pool will be fully prosecuted and that citations for vandalism have been issued, including for minor crimes. Several outlets also report concerns about water quality and maintenance issues, including algae, after renovation work. Trump has said repairs should proceed immediately and has warned of serious consequences for those accused. One arrested person, described as the former Olympian, denies wrongdoing, according to multiple reports. The pool has been described as showing visible damage such as peeling blue paint.
