WASHINGTON, June 21 — US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that multiple individuals have been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism at the Reflecting Pool located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the arrests were made by the United States Park Police and described the incident as involving serious damage to a national monument.
“The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nation’s magnificent Reflecting Pool. Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of national monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair,” the post read.
According to The Washington Post, Olympic cyclist David Hearn was arrested by US Park Police on a misdemeanour charge of destruction of government property following an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Friday.
Hearn had visited the site after a 52-mile bike ride around Hains Point to view the recently refurbished pool. He reportedly noticed a section of the newly installed “American flag blue” liner had detached from the bottom of the pool.
He told authorities he reached into the water to feel the material and was later taken into custody as he prepared to leave the area.
He is scheduled to appear in DC Superior Court on July 9, according to The Washington Post.
Trump’s comments followed earlier claims that vandalism had occurred at the recently renovated Reflecting Pool and surrounding areas.
In a previous Truth Social post, Trump said his administration had carried out extensive restoration work across Washington, DC, including more than 45 monuments and memorials, 28 statues, and 22 fountains.
He also claimed that individuals had damaged the grass surrounding the Reflecting Pool and attempted to damage its newly installed surface, alleging the use of chemical substances similar to those previously reported on the National Mall.
Authorities have not released further details regarding additional arrests or the scope of the investigation. The Reflecting Pool, one of Washington’s most visited landmarks, lies between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and attracts millions of tourists each year. (ANI)
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