National

Trump, blaming alleged vandals, says Washington Reflecting Pool needs repairs

By Reuters Reuters
Crews remove algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz
Crews remove algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz Aaron Schwartz Reuters

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that much of the water at the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "probably" has to be drained for repairs following what he called "vandalism" of the site.

"Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool," Trump said on social media.

"We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible."

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sergio Non)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 8:10 PM.

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