President Donald Trump said Saturday night that he was likely to drain the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool again due to damage caused by “disgraceful vandalism.” The pool, which Trump resurfaced with a $14 million effort just months ago, is now facing issues with paint peeling off its surface and algae blooming.
Trump claimed that vandals used knives or blades to cause damage, but experts disagree. Swimming-pool expert Steve Goodale believes the issue may be due to improper preparation for treatment or groundwater seeping underneath the lining. The Interior Department has treated the pool with hydrogen peroxide and “high-tech nanobubble ozone technology” to limit algae growth.
The incident comes as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, testing the fragile ceasefire in place with the US. Trump was at Camp David over the weekend, where he met with senior advisers. Three-time Olympian David Hearn, who was arrested for peeling paint from the pool earlier this week, disputed Trump’s claims that he caused damage.
Maintenance of the Reflecting Pool has been a challenge for decades. The pool is set to reopen on Thursday with the Great American State Fair, which will be held blocks away from the damaged area.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/20