Donald Trump Doubles Down On Reflecting Pool Vandalism Claims Without Providing Evidence
President Donald Trump has continued to blame "vandalism" for the issues affecting the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, claiming a "350-foot slit" was cut through the pool's lining. Trump stated that he saw the damage, describing it as a violent cut made with a "box-cutter or a knife of some kind."
The Reflecting Pool has been plagued by algae and peeling paint since its $16 million renovation, which exceeded initial cost estimates by $4 million. An Interior Department spokesperson attributed the algae to "residual" effects from reactivated supply lines.
The Interior Department has announced that five people have been arrested and five others issued federal citations in connection with alleged vandalism, including 14 reported incidents. Trump directed reporters to the Interior Department and National Park Service for information on the ongoing investigations but provided no evidence of vandalism himself.
Trump initially made the claim of a cut lining on his social media platform, stating that vandals had created a 250-foot-long "gash." However, neither the Interior Department nor the White House has provided evidence to support this claim. Trump suggested that images of the alleged damage would be released in court at a later time.
The president also speculated that someone may have added fertilizer to the pool to cause the algae growth, which has turned the water a murky green. An Interior Department spokesperson had previously attributed the growth to residual algae from the pool's reactivated supply lines.
Additionally, Trump addressed the issue of large letters being burned into the grass on the National Mall, which have become increasingly visible despite efforts to cover the area. The president stated that the grass would be restored soon.
The Reflecting Pool has been plagued by algae and peeling paint since its $16 million renovation, which exceeded initial cost estimates by $4 million. An Interior Department spokesperson attributed the algae to "residual" effects from reactivated supply lines.
The Interior Department has announced that five people have been arrested and five others issued federal citations in connection with alleged vandalism, including 14 reported incidents. Trump directed reporters to the Interior Department and National Park Service for information on the ongoing investigations but provided no evidence of vandalism himself.
Trump initially made the claim of a cut lining on his social media platform, stating that vandals had created a 250-foot-long "gash." However, neither the Interior Department nor the White House has provided evidence to support this claim. Trump suggested that images of the alleged damage would be released in court at a later time.
The president also speculated that someone may have added fertilizer to the pool to cause the algae growth, which has turned the water a murky green. An Interior Department spokesperson had previously attributed the growth to residual algae from the pool's reactivated supply lines.
Additionally, Trump addressed the issue of large letters being burned into the grass on the National Mall, which have become increasingly visible despite efforts to cover the area. The president stated that the grass would be restored soon.
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