The Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, a iconic landmark between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has become the center of attention due to recent repairs and allegations of vandalism. President Donald Trump has taken to social media to address the issues, claiming that the pool has been seriously vandalized and that repairs will begin immediately.
The Reflecting Pool, which underwent a $14.2 million renovation to turn it an American flag blue has faced criticism due to the appearance of algae and peeling paint. Trump has blamed the damage on vandals, claiming that a 350ft gash was made by a very sharp knife or razors. However, reporters visiting the site have not observed such damage.
Vandalism Allegations and Arrests
Trump has claimed that six people have been arrested and seven cited for the damage to the Reflecting Pool. He described the vandalism as purposeful and criminal, suggesting that someone worked hard, possibly in the dark of night, to create the damage. However, the National Park Service workers discovered holes, cracks, peeling caulking, and cuts in sections of the foam just days after the pool was drained, resealed, and refilled.
The documents reviewed by the New York Times indicated that the damage was not linked to either the pool’s blue American flag coating or the most recent algae outbreak. The records described the damage as two 171ft blade cuts, though they did not explain how or why the cuts may have been created.
Algae Issues and Environmental Concerns
The Reflecting Pool has also faced issues with algae, turning the water a bright shade of green. Officials have been using chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, to clean the algae bloom. A professor of aquatic ecology, Rosalina Stancheva Christova, confirmed that the green algae inside is a species called Desmodesmus, which is harmless to people or animals. However, there is a concern that birds visiting the pool could introduce other forms of algae which can carry harmful bacteria.
Over the weekend, a dead duck was found floating in the Reflecting Pool, and two more carcasses were found in a pond about 250ft away at the Constitution Gardens. The causes of the deaths were unknown, and an animal rescue group planned to perform necropsies.
Repairs and Future Plans
Trump has announced that work will begin immediately on fixing the Reflecting Pool. He suggested that the pool may need to be drained and refilled for a second time this month. The repairs come amid a push by Trump to spruce up monuments across the capital city in advance of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration. The White House has announced plans for a speech by Trump on the National Mall as well as a fireworks celebration, billed as the largest in history.
Democrats have condemned the effort as wasteful and emblematic of an administration that is uninterested in addressing the economic concerns of Americans. They have linked it to Trump’s parallel effort to build a ballroom on the demolished East Wing of the White House and his attempts to quietly shift taxpayer money to a project he insisted would be paid for by private donations.
