In brief
On Sunday Trump declared on Truth Social that he had inspected the Reflecting Pool and pledged that repairs would commence immediately. The $13‑million renovation did little to stem a green algal bloom or vandalism; several arrests have been made and paint has been damaged. Washington authorities are using chemicals like hydrogen peroxide to clear the algae while also monitoring for harmful species. The initiative comes days before the 250th anniversary of Independence Day and serves as a symbol of the administration’s dedication to the nation’s heritage.
On Sunday, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell viewers he had “inspected” Washington, D.C.’s iconic Reflecting Pool and pledged that work to fix vandalism and algae would begin “immediately.”
Despite a $13 million renovation that finished earlier this month, the pool—stretching 2,030 ft between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument—continues to suffer from leaks, faulty pipes, and a green algal bloom that has turned the water bright green.
Authorities say that several people have been arrested for vandalism, and that the paint on the pool’s outer surfaces has reportedly been damaged. A federal spokesman confirmed that the Washington Park Police had filed 14 reports, including one that described a “250‑foot‑long gash.”
Environmental experts say the algae, identified as Desmodesmus, is harmless but warn that birds can introduce more harmful species. Cleaning crews have been using hydrogen peroxide to reduce the bloom, but a dead duckling was found in the pool over the weekend.
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said the state would prosecute anyone who vandalizes the pool. Washington officials have called the incident a “serious breach” of the national monument’s integrity.
Trump’s comments come just days before the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Independence Day, and the president has highlighted the pool’s refurbishment as a symbol of his administration’s attention to the nation’s heritage.
