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Government Spending · Infrastructure · Public Works · Renovation
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's $16 million renovation faces significant setbacks, including peeling paint, persistent algae, and cracking, leading to multiple arrests and further delays despite President Donald Trump's July 4 completion target.
The three-day holiday weekend brought renewed disruptions and arrests at the iconic landmark. Recently applied "American Flag Blue" paint began peeling off the basin on June 18, with images published by Getty Images showing portions floating to the surface.
Green algae also reappeared for approximately a week despite crews pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool. President Donald Trump attributed these issues to vandals, claiming a "250 foot long gash" (later 300 feet) was slashed, without providing evidence in a Truth Social post.
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, 77, was among those arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, telling The Washington Post he only grabbed a loose piece of paint. Officials told NBC News that five people were arrested and five more cited for alleged tampering.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated on Fox News that vandals will face the criminal justice system, with potential for more serious charges if harmful products are used. The $16 million project now requires more work and will be drained again, with an unclear completion timeline, though Trump promised it would be finished "as quickly as possible." USA TODAY observed less green but high algae levels in corners and visible cracking in the pool's basin lining on Monday.