The United States Park Police have taken multiple individuals into custody in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a development that comes amid ongoing difficulties with the recently resurfaced monument.
President Trump announced the arrests Saturday via social media, stating that those responsible would face serious consequences. “The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool,” the president wrote. “Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair.”
Among those detained was David Hearn, a 67-year-old Maryland resident who maintains his arrest stemmed from scientific curiosity rather than malicious intent. Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer with professional experience in watercraft materials, told reporters he stopped at the pool during a bicycle ride to examine the peeling surface coating that had been recently installed under presidential directive.
According to Hearn’s account, he briefly touched a section of the deteriorating material while it remained attached to the pool’s side, releasing it after a park worker instructed him to do so. He was subsequently detained by National Guard troops and Park Police, held for approximately five hours on Friday, and now faces a court appearance next month.
“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn explained. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.”
The president indicated Saturday evening that the Reflecting Pool would likely require draining once again for what he described as necessary repairs. In a separate statement Friday night, he alleged that vandals had damaged grass surrounding the pool three days earlier and had deliberately harmed the newly installed interior surface, though no supporting evidence was provided with these claims.
The Reflecting Pool has experienced persistent maintenance challenges for years, including chronic problems with leaks, algae growth, and faulty plumbing systems. This April, the president initiated a comprehensive effort to address what he termed the pool’s “terrible” condition, part of broader preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
However, problems emerged almost immediately after the resurfacing project concluded and water was restored to the pool. Last week, the water turned a fluorescent green color due to algae proliferation, and significant portions of the new blue surface coating began separating from the pool’s structure.
Work crews have been visible at the site in recent days, removing algae and treating the water with hydrogen peroxide in an attempt to restore clarity. The president stated Friday that algae levels had decreased by 75 percent and that damage from the alleged vandalism affected only a limited area, with repairs scheduled for early this week.
The National Park Service has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the arrests or the pool’s condition.
The incidents raise questions about both the durability of the recent renovation work and security protocols at one of the nation’s most recognizable monuments. As the case proceeds through the legal system, authorities will need to determine whether the damage resulted from deliberate vandalism, inadequate materials, or other factors.
Related: Jack Osbourne Says White House UFC Visit Was Simply Attending a Fight
