Key facts
- Six individuals have been arrested and seven cited for alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
- The damage to the pool includes slashes extending over 350 feet.
- President Donald Trump stated the damage was intentional and likely caused by sharp objects.
- Olympian David Hearn, one of the arrested individuals, denied causing any damage.
- The Reflecting Pool is scheduled to be drained after July 4 for repairs.
- National Park Service workers are actively cleaning algae from the pool.
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that six people have been arrested and seven others cited for alleged damages to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The damage, which Trump described as slashes extending across at least 350 feet of the pool, was characterized by the President as "purposefully and criminally done" with a sharp knife or razors.
Among those arrested is three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn, who told ABC News he was a "curious, concerned citizen" and only touched a loose piece of blue coating. He claims he did not remove, damage, or destroy any part of the pool.
Trump stated that plans are in place to drain some of the water either before or after the Fourth of July holiday to conduct permanent repairs. Meanwhile, National Park Service workers were observed on Tuesday morning continuing to clean the green algae that has accumulated in the Reflecting Pool.