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Government Spending · National Park Service · Public Infrastructure · Vandalism
President Donald Trump attributed damage at the recently renovated $14.8 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to vandals, alleging chemical use and linking it to prior National Mall defacement, while authorities investigate and address ongoing algae growth.
The restoration project, completed June 6, faced scrutiny weeks later due to peeling paint and algae. Trump claimed "real problems with Vandalism," stating vandals "destroyed the grass" and "hurt the inside surface" with chemicals, similar to those used on the National Mall where an "86 47" message appeared.
Administration officials previously characterized "86 47" as threatening, referring to removing the 47th president. The National Park Service and contractors deployed chemicals, ozone nanobubbles, and a vacuum system to mitigate algae, stating no harmful side effects to marine life.
Trump reported 75% of the algae is gone, and the vandalized area will be repaired by next week.