The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC will be drained again for repairs following algae blooms and paint damage weeks after a $14.7 million renovation was completed in early June 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. President Donald Trump said vandals cut a 250 to 350-foot gash in the pool's paint and poured corrosive chemicals into the water, though no evidence has been publicly provided [1, 5, 6]. Trump called the damage "SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!" and said, "It was purposefully and criminally done, and somebody had to work very hard, probably in the dark of night, to create such a condition" [1, 7].
At least five people have been arrested and five more cited related to the vandalism [1, 2, 4]. Among those arrested is three-time Olympic cyclist David Hearn, who denied vandalizing and said he "merely stopped by the pool to touch one of the peeling pieces of paint liner to see how it felt" [5, 6]. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro vowed to prosecute vandals, warning that they face up to 10 years in prison for destruction of federal property [4, 8]. "Anyone who is in a position of vandalising or attempting to vandalise will face the criminal justice system in DC," Pirro said [8].
The pool's renovation contract was awarded without competitive bidding to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a company with no prior federal contract experience [9, 4]. The site, which is about 609 to 610 meters (2000 to 2030 feet) long, has a history of leaks, algae problems, and deterioration. A previous renovation under the Obama administration cost about $34 million [1, 9].
The DC Water Authority granted a temporary permit in mid-June allowing the National Park Service to drain the pool for repairs [4, 6]. Work is set to begin immediately and may involve draining the pool either before or after Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 7]. Trump said, "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" [3].
Some reporters and officials have noted no clear evidence linking vandalism to the algae and paint peeling, leaving the allegations unsubstantiated according to some sources [6, 10]. The number arrested and cited also differs slightly among reports, from five arrested and five cited to six arrested and seven cited [1, 2, 4, 7].
Repair work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is expected to proceed soon, with draining planned around the July 4 holiday to minimize public disruption [7].
