Reflecting pool to be drained after Independence Day due to vandalism
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A court document released by the White House has revealed that the National Park Service (NPS) plans to re-drain the allegedly vandalized reflecting pool for repairs after Independence Day.
In the document filed in federal court Thursday, NPS Deputy Director of Operations Frank Lands states that on June 9, U.S. Park Police responded to a report of damage to the reflecting pool.
The damage to the pool involved cutting the caulk on the foam padding “with a sharp knife or razor” and “destroying the delaminated surface material,” Lands said. He also said about 70 fence posts were thrown into the pool.
NPS plans to drain the reflecting pool to make repairs, including “assessing and repairing any damage to the liner,” which will begin “following the Independence Day celebration,” Lands said.
TRUMP SAYS VANDALS USED CHEMICALS TO DAMAGE RESTORED REFLECTING POOL NEAR LINCOLN MONUMENT
National Park Service employees and contractors use vacuum cleaners to remove green algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2026 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The damage occurred after more than two months of renovations to the reflecting pool ordered by President Donald Trump.
Washington DC is expected to host large crowds for Independence Day celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary. Preparations were disrupted by additional incidents, including the marking of the National Mall with “8647” and a message written in blood on the Washington Monument.
Among the incidents uncovered by the Department of Internal Affairs on the National Mall were numerous “8647” signs. The administration has previously interpreted the number “86” as a political threat, pointing out that its widespread use in the restaurant industry means removing or refusing service, while the number 47 also appears to refer to Trump as the 47th president.
OLYMPIAN REFLECTED POOL VANDALISM LINKS TO FUNDRAISING GIANT
“After a few days of this, recurring cases appeared and videos of people tearing off the coating began to circulate.” (Ministry of the Interior) (Ministry of the Interior)
In a separate case, a man used his own blood to write “I Came” on the Washington Monument, according to a police report reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Seven people have been arrested, seven others have been charged with federal charges and 18 police reports have been filed in connection with the alleged vandalism of the reflecting pool, according to the White House.
This week, the U.S. Park Police asked for the public’s help in identifying a person caught on camera during an investigation into damage to a reflecting pool and alleged destruction of government property in Washington, D.C. In the video released by the police, a person is seen kneeling next to the pool and extending his arm into the water.
The White House issued a statement on Thursday arguing that “this was not random mischief; it was targeted sabotage by anti-American lunatics who disdained a strong, proud and beautiful country.”
DEMS CREATED POLL THAT SHOWS RECORD LOW PATRIOTISM IN USA: ‘BREAK UP OUR SOCIETY’
Paint peeling at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. (REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
White House calls alleged vandals ‘crazy and deranged lunatics’ [who] “They have once again revealed their hatred for America by launching a cowardly and deliberate attack on one of our nation’s most iconic landmarks.”
Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
